Miles Yu

Senior Fellow and Director, China Center

miles_yu

At A Glance:

Miles Yu is a senior fellow and director of the China Center at 91 Institute.

Research Associate
Shane Leary
Research Associate and Program Manager, China Center

Biography

Miles Yu is a senior fellow and director of the China Center at 91 Institute. He is also a professor of East Asia and military and naval history at the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland. Dr. Yu specializes in Chinese military and strategic culture, US and Chinese military and diplomatic history, and US policy toward China.

Dr. Yu joined the Trump administration and served as the China policy adviser to Secretary of State Mike Pompeo. In that capacity, he advised the secretary on all China-related issues, helped overhaul US policy toward China, and participated in key US government interagency deliberations on major policy and government actions with regard to China and other East Asian countries, including Japan, South Korea and Taiwan. He is a visiting fellow at the Hoover Institution as a member of the Military History/Contemporary Conflict Working Group. From 2011 to 2016, he wrote the weekly column "Inside China" for the Washington Times. Since 1996, he has been an editorial consultant to Radio Free Asia, and a contributor to various media outlets including the Wall Street Journal and PBS News Hour.

Dr. Yu has published widely on topics in his field. His books include OSS in China: Prelude to Cold War (Yale University Press, 1997) and The Dragon’s War: Allied Operations and the Fate of China, 1937–1947 (Naval Institute Press, 2006). He is the author of many scholarly articles on China, military and intelligence history, and newspaper columns about contemporary Chinese political and military affairs. His numerous awards include the US Naval Academy's top researcher award, US Navy Special Action Awards, and US Navy Meritorious Service Award.

Dr. Yu received a doctorate in history from the University of California, Berkeley, a master’s degree from Swarthmore College, and a bachelor’s degree from Nankai University.

Events
11
December 2024
Past Event
Sanctioned Voices: Spotlighting China’s Global Repression
Featured Speakers:
Frances Hui
Elfidar Iltebir
Jamil Jaffer
Dr. Daniel Twining
Jonathan Ward
Damon Wilson
Tamara Cofman Wittes
Joseph Wu
Moderator:
Miles Yu
A pro-democracy activists stands with a yellow umbrella as part of an art installation outside Hong Kong's Government complex on October 9, 2014. (Photo by Chris McGrath/Getty Images)
11
December 2024
Past Event
Sanctioned Voices: Spotlighting China’s Global Repression

The discussion will cover China’s use of economic sanctions, surveillance, and coercion to silence critics, especially those who risk their lives and freedom to advocate for democracy, human rights, and the rule of law.

A pro-democracy activists stands with a yellow umbrella as part of an art installation outside Hong Kong's Government complex on October 9, 2014. (Photo by Chris McGrath/Getty Images)
Featured Speakers:
Frances Hui
Elfidar Iltebir
Jamil Jaffer
Dr. Daniel Twining
Jonathan Ward
Damon Wilson
Tamara Cofman Wittes
Joseph Wu
Moderator:
Miles Yu
05
December 2024
Past Event
Taiwan’s Security Needs for the Next US Administration
Featured Speakers:
Miles Yu
Jason Hsu
Moderator:
Riley Walters
A Taiwanese Air Force F-16 fighter jet approaches for landing at an air force base in Hualien, Taiwan, on May 24, 2024. (Yasuyoshi Chiba/AFP via Getty Images)
05
December 2024
Past Event
Taiwan’s Security Needs for the Next US Administration

Will new administrations in Taipei and Washington deepen the nations’ relationship? Or will new challenges emerge? What does Taiwan need to boost its hard and soft powers? How can Taiwan build stronger whole-of-society resilience in areas such as food and energy security? Join 91 experts for a discussion on these topics and more.

A Taiwanese Air Force F-16 fighter jet approaches for landing at an air force base in Hualien, Taiwan, on May 24, 2024. (Yasuyoshi Chiba/AFP via Getty Images)
Featured Speakers:
Miles Yu
Jason Hsu
Moderator:
Riley Walters
17
September 2024
Past Event
Taiwan’s Democracy in the International Community
Featured Speakers:
Miles Yu
Michael R. Pompeo
Michael Tsai
Tom McDevitt
Ngalim Tiunn
Harper Chen
Decorations for celebrating Taiwanese National Day are seen on the Presidential Office Building on October 12, 2023, in Taipei, Taiwan. (Alex Wong via Getty Images)
17
September 2024
Past Event
Taiwan’s Democracy in the International Community

91’s China Center, with representatives from the Taiwan United Nations Alliance and the Washington Times, will explore Taiwan’s role on the international stage and discuss how to combat the PRC’s efforts and enhance United States–Taiwan military and diplomatic cooperation.

Decorations for celebrating Taiwanese National Day are seen on the Presidential Office Building on October 12, 2023, in Taipei, Taiwan. (Alex Wong via Getty Images)
Featured Speakers:
Miles Yu
Michael R. Pompeo
Michael Tsai
Tom McDevitt
Ngalim Tiunn
Harper Chen
17
July 2024
Past Event
China’s Persecution of Falun Gong at 25 Years
Featured Speakers:
Miles Yu
Dr. Larry Liu
Sarah Cook
Simon Zhang
Levi Browde
Ying Chen
Moderators:
Nina Shea
Cynthia Sun
A Falun Gong demonstrator sits in a cage in London, United Kingdom, on July 18, 2021, during the protest against the Chinese government's persecution. (Vuk Valcic/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images)
17
July 2024
Past Event
China’s Persecution of Falun Gong at 25 Years

Join 91 Institute as expert panels take stock of the Falun Gong crackdown over the past quarter of a century.

A Falun Gong demonstrator sits in a cage in London, United Kingdom, on July 18, 2021, during the protest against the Chinese government's persecution. (Vuk Valcic/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images)
Featured Speakers:
Miles Yu
Dr. Larry Liu
Sarah Cook
Simon Zhang
Levi Browde
Ying Chen
Moderators:
Nina Shea
Cynthia Sun