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Christopher Miller, a former Special Forces officer and director of the US National Counterterrorism Center, took office yesterday. It follows the sudden departure of Mark Esper, the former Defense Secretary with whom President Donald Trump is known to have had disagreements in the past.
Trump announced Esper’s departure in a tweet, saying he had been “fired.”
The President said: “I am pleased to announce that Christopher C. Miller, the most respected director of the National Counterterrorism Center (confirmed unanimously by the Senate), will be Acting Secretary of Defense, effective immediately.
“Chris will do a great job! Mark Esper has been fired. I would like to thank you for your service. “
Now military analysts have said officials in China are concerned that Miller’s appointment could result in a tougher US stance on Beijing.
Beijing expert Zhou Chenming has said that Esper was “stable” in his role, but that China is now concerned about “possible military adventures.”
He told the South China Morning Post that Mr. Miller “specializes in surprise attacks and adventure operations.”
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Trump and Esper have been at odds this year, as the former Pentagon chief opposed Trump’s threats to deploy active military troops to suppress national protests in the United States earlier this year.
Miller arrived at the Pentagon on Monday this week, where he is said to have met with senior officials and issued guidance.
However, he also added that staff should not expect “significant changes at this time,” a senior defense official told CNN.
Relations between the United States and China have been turbulent this year amid military tensions in the South China Sea and its relationship with Taiwan.
Last month, officials from Washington and Beijing met by teleconference to discuss tensions in what was the first meeting of the Crisis Communications Working Group.
The Pentagon said in a statement: “The two sides agreed on the importance of establishing mechanisms for timely communication during a crisis, as well as the need to maintain regular communication channels to prevent crises and conduct post-crisis assessments.”
Recently, the US Marines began a month-long training exercise with the Taiwanese Army. The Taiwan Navy Command said the “routine” exchange “would enhance the combat capabilities of Taiwanese troops.”
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