Saudi Gazette report WASHINGTON — US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin issued a directive on Wednesday aimed at reorienting America’s military to better compete with Beijing, the Pentagon said in a statement. According to the statement, the directive was based on final recommendations submitted by the US Department of Defense’ China task force. The directive called for several initiatives “to better address the security challenges posed by China”. “These initiatives — some of which will remain classified — are designed to focus departmental processes and procedures and better help department leaders contribute to whole-of-government efforts to address the challenge from China,” the statement read. “They were developed in consultation and coordination with our interagency partners and will complement the multi-faceted work on China policy of departments, agencies, and the White House. Many are intended to streamline and strengthen cooperation with US allies and partners, particularly in the Indo-Pacific,” the statement added. Commenting on the directive, Austin said: “The initiatives I am putting forward today are nested inside the larger US government approach to China and will help inform the development of the National Defense Strategy we are working on,” said Secretary Austin. “I am enormously proud of the work put forth by members of the China task force.” “I asked a lot of them, and they delivered. Now it is time for us to move forward. The efforts I am directing today will improve the Department’s ability to revitalize our network of allies and partners, bolster deterrence, and accelerate the development of new operational concepts, emerging capabilities, future force posture, and a modernized civilian and military workforce.” The directive also established the US defense secretary’s intent to directly oversee Pentagon’s China-related policies, operations, and intelligence. President Biden announced last February the establishment of the task force. It had a specific two-fold mission: to conduct a baseline assessment of China-related programs, policies, and processes at the Pentagon and to provide the secretary with a set of top priorities and recommended courses of action for the defense department.