In his first extensive remarks to address the furore over perceived possible threats in the sky since US fighter jets fired missiles at objects over Alaska, Canada and Lake Huron over the past week, President Biden said on Thursday that the intelligence agencies have no indication that the three objects were surveillance craft from China or any other power but vowed to establish new parameters to guard the US airspace.The latest objects appeared unrelated to the Chinese spy balloon that was downed on February 4, but instead were likely tied to private companies or research institutions, Biden said.

Nonetheless, he announced that he expects to speak soon with President Xi Jinping of China to lodge his objections to the original balloon’s violation of American airspace.

But he tried to strike a tone of re-engagement, stressing that “we seek competition, not conflict with China”.

“We’re not looking for a new Cold War,” he added.

He also rejected criticism of his handling of the spy balloon.

“I hope we’re going to get to the bottom of this,” he said.

“But I make no apologies for taking down that balloon.

” Biden also said his administration is developing new parameters to guide how to respond to unidentified aerial objects, to improve measures to detect them.

He also said there is no evidence “that there has been a sudden increase in the number of objects in the sky.

” Instead, he said, US authorities have been more attuned to detecting them after radar changes instituted after the Chinese balloon was spotted.