; (B) weapons procurement from domestic and foreign sources; (C) operations and maintenance; (D) pay and benefits; (E) military pensions; and (F) any other category the Secretary considers relevant. (2) Consider the effects of purchasing power parity and market exchange rates, particularly on nontraded goods. (3) Estimate the magnitude of omitted spending from official defense budget information and account for such spending in the comparison. (4) Exclude spending related to veterans’ benefits, other than military pensions provided to veterans. (c) Considerations The studies required by this section may take into consideration the following: (1) The effects of state-owned enterprises on the defense expenditures of the People’s Republic of China. (2) The role of differing acquisition policies and structures with respect to the defense expenditures of each subject country. (3) Any other matter relevant to evaluating the resources dedicated to the defense spending or the various military-related outlays of the People’s Republic of China. (d) Form The studies required by this section shall be submitted in unclassified form, free of handling restrictions, but may include classified annexes. 1358. Briefing on provision of security assistance by the People’s Republic of China and summary of Department of Defense mitigation activities (a) Briefing Not later than March 1, 2024, the Secretary of Defense, in coordination with the Secretary of State, shall provide to the appropriate committees of Congress a briefing that describes the provision of security assistance and training by the People’s Republic of China to foreign military forces for the purpose of achieving the national objectives of the People's Republic of China. (b) Summary of mitigation activities As part of the first report submitted under section 1206(c)(2) of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2022 ( Public Law 117–81 ; 135 Stat. 1960