U.S. Seeks To Update 'Common Global Standards' For Aerial Objects

Washington D.C./17.02.23/Turan:  As U.S. outrage continues over the intrusion of a Chinese spy balloon in American airspace earlier this month, President Joe Biden said on Thursday that he would seek new 'common global norms' for launching and maintaining unmanned aerial objects, TURAN's Washington correspondent reports.

During a speech at the White House, Biden said he expected to be speaking with President Xi, and "I hope we are going to get to the bottom of this."

As for the decision to shoot down the balloon, "Make no mistake..." Biden said, "if any object presents a threat to the safety and security of the American people, I will take it down,"

In the meantime, the U.S. will work with countries to update the rules and regulations for launching and maintaining unmanned objects in the airspace over the country.

Biden said Secretary of State Blinken would “lead an effort to establish common global standards” in the “unregulated” space.

At the State Department, deputy spokesman Vedant Patel told a daily press briefing that Blinken was “eager to get top work to develop new standards to regulate the flight of aerial objects around the world."

Global airspace protocols already exist, Patel acknowledged, when responding to TURAN's questions, but said the latest episode showed that more were needed.

“Obviously, and the president alluded to this, given the heightened sensitivity and our discovery of these three additional objects, there is more we need to discuss with our allies and partners,” he said. “The secretary is looking forward to that.”

Alex Raufoglu