Politico | Joe Biden taps Asia expert Ely Ratner as top Pentagon adviser on China
- The move may help reassure China watchers concerned that Lloyd Austin, Biden’s pick for defence chief, does not have enough experience in Indo-Pacific affairs
- Ratner, a long-time Biden aide, has also worked in the office of Chinese and Mongolian affairs and the State Department
This story is published in a content partnership with POLITICO. It was originally reported by Lara Seligman on politico.com on January 19, 2021.
US president-elect Joe Biden has tapped former aide and long-time Asia expert Ely Ratner to be the incoming Pentagon chief’s principal adviser on China matters, according to two people with knowledge of the move.
The move may help reassure China watchers who are concerned that Biden's defence secretary nominee, retired general Lloyd Austin, does not have sufficient experience in Indo-Pacific affairs. Many national security experts consider an increasingly aggressive China to be the most pressing challenge facing the United States.
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“Ely is one of the best in Washington on Asia policy and the US-China relationship,” said Eric Sayers, visiting fellow at the American Enterprise Institute.
“This pick is a good sign for anyone who wants to see the Biden team take a more competitive approach toward Beijing. The Pentagon will be lucky to have his talents as it continues to make China its top priority and find ways to network Asian allies together on security issues.”
Austin, a former head of US Central Command, is expected get questions from lawmakers about his approach to China on Tuesday as he goes before the Senate Armed Services Committee for his confirmation hearing.
“Ely Ratner is a strong addition to the DOD,” said Randy Schriver, a former assistant secretary of defence for Indo-Pacific affairs under President Donald Trump.