# The AXIS Act: What It Does

The AXIS Act requires the U.S. State Department to investigate and report on whether China is helping Russia get around American sanctions and continue its war in Ukraine. Specifically, the Secretary of State must submit a detailed report to Congress within 30 days of the bill becoming law, and then every 90 days after that, documenting any support China provides to Russia—whether through money, technology, military supplies, or other means.

The bill focuses on seven specific types of support the State Department should look for: helping Russia dodge sanctions, blocking U.S. inspectors from checking exports in China, providing technology like computer chips that could help Russian military or intelligence operations, creating financial arrangements to soften the impact of sanctions, spreading Russian propaganda and disinformation, coordinating with Russia to block international aid to Ukraine, and providing any other material or logistical support to Russian military or intelligence agencies. The reports must be made public on the State Department's website so Congress and American citizens can see what the government has found.

This bill essentially creates a monitoring system to track China's involvement with Russia during the Ukraine conflict. It's based on concerns that China and Russia announced a partnership with "no limits" just before Russia invaded Ukraine, and that China has refused to condemn Russia's actions at the United Nations. The bill reflects worry that China might be quietly helping Russia evade the economic penalties the U.S. and other countries have imposed. The reporting requirement automatically ends either when the Ukraine conflict ends or two years after the law passes, whichever comes first.

AXIS Act

Barr, Andy

Assessing Xi's Interference and Subversion Act or AXIS Act This bill requires the Department of State to periodically report to Congress on whether and how China's government, the Chinese Communist Party, or any other Chinese entity has provided support for Russia's invasion of Ukraine. The report must address specified matters, including any efforts to (1) help Russia's government or Russian entities evade sanctions or export controls, (2) provide Russia with technology to support Russia's military or intelligence capabilities, or (3) further Russia's disinformation and propaganda efforts.