Christopher J. Marut

Christopher J. Marut is an American diplomat who last served as the foreign policy advisor to Commander, United States Pacific Command (CDRUSPACOM), Admiral Harry B. Harris Jr. He also served as the director of the American Institute in Taiwan, the de facto embassy of the United States in Taiwan, from 2012 to 2015, and served as the acting consul general of the Consulate General of the United States, Hong Kong and Macau from 2009 to 2010.

Early life and education Marut was born in Connecticut in 1952; his father, Walter, was an engineer for Pratt & Whitney. Marut also had stateside postings at the State Department's Bureau of East Asian and Pacific Affairs (EAP), including an appointment as the Director of the Office of Regional and Security Policy. ; he completed his three-year term in June 2015. In recognition of his contributions to improved relations between the United States and Taiwan, Marut was awarded the Order of Brilliant Star by President Ma Ying-jeou of Taiwan.