Key Biden adviser on China policy to leave administration after spy balloon fiasco

White House officials announced Thursday that President Joe Biden's key adviser on China policy will leave the administration next month following a fiasco involving the Chinese spy balloon that traversed the U.S. before being shot down more than a week after it arrived.

Special assistant to the president and the White House National Security Council’s senior director for China and Taiwan Laura Rosenberger will depart Biden's team next month, a report said.

The departure has been planned for some time and was not related to the spy balloon incident, Breitbart reported.

Sarah Beran from the State Department will replace Rosenberger, and Rush Doshi, current NSC China director, will be elevated to serve as Beran’s deputy.

"Under President Biden, we are more prepared to outcompete China and advance a free and open Indo-Pacific than ever before," National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan said. "Since the first day of the administration, Laura’s skilled diplomacy and tenacity have been essential to this administration priority, and we are immensely grateful for her service."

Eric Green, special assistant to the president and the NSC’s senior director for Russia and Central Asia, is also leaving his post, leaving Biden with a major dearth of experienced policy advisers for these volatile regions.