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[Global Network Reporter Zhao Jiandong] According to CNN news, on March 25, local time, US President Biden held the first presidential press conference since taking office at the White House. In addition to the COVID-19 vaccine, Biden also talked about seeking re-election in 2024, immigration policy, the withdrawal of US troops in Afghanistan and Sino-US relations.
In terms of Sino-US relations, Biden said that he would not seek confrontation with China, but would insist that China abide by the international rules of "fair competition", "fair trade" and "respect for human rights". At the same time, Biden also threatened that China would never be allowed to surpass the United States as the world’s number one power during his term of office. Biden vowed to increase investment to ensure that the United States wins the competition with China.
"China has an overall goal … … Become the world’s leading, richest and most powerful country, "Biden told reporters." This will not happen during my term of office. " Biden also threatened to cooperate with his allies and demand that China be "responsible" for its actions in Taiwan Province, Hongkong and the South China Sea.
Biden also plans to announce an infrastructure proposal worth trillions of dollars next week, saying that he will ensure that the United States will increase its investment in promising new technologies such as quantum computing, artificial intelligence and biotechnology. "We will make real investments," he said, noting that China has invested three times as much in these infrastructures as the United States.
Biden White House Press Conference Source CNN
On COVID-19 vaccination, Biden announced that he would complete the new target of 200 million doses of COVID-19 vaccine within 100 days of taking office. Biden said, "I know this is ambitious, twice our original goal. But no country in the world is close to us, even far from what we are doing. I believe we can do it. " CNN reported that Biden also "boasted" his $1.9 trillion COVID-19 economic aid plan at the press conference. He said, "We are beginning to see signs of new hope in the economy." Biden said that the government has issued 100 million checks for $1,400 to people’s bank accounts. "This money can be alleviated almost immediately. Millions more people will get the money soon. " . Biden also quoted the latest report of the Ministry of Education as saying that nearly half of k-8 schools (kindergarten to junior high school) have started school, and he expects to realize the full opening of k-8 schools in the United States within the next 35 days.
Biden White House Press Conference Source CNN
In addition, Biden also said that despite opposition from Republicans, he still hopes to make progress on thorny issues such as the climate crisis, gun reform and immigration. But for these problems, some reporters at the scene doubted whether he could make progress. Biden replied, "I think Republican colleagues must decide whether to cooperate or take action to split the country." "I was hired to solve problems, not create divisions," Biden added.
Biden White House Press Conference Source CNN
In terms of immigration policy, Biden said in response to a reporter’s question that there is an immigration tide every year on the southern border, "not unprecedented". "In fact, nothing has changed … With many people coming to the United States, the number of border children has increased by 28% in the current government, and the number of border children has increased by 31% during the Trump administration in 2019." When referring to the current government’s immigration policy compared with the Trump administration, Biden said, "Has anyone ever said that Trump’s administration increased by 31% because he was a good man? Did he do anything good at the border? That’s not why they (immigrants) came. The reason why they came is that they are least likely to die on the road because of the heat in the desert during this time. Secondly, it is due to the national situation.
"I like to think so. They come because I am a good person, but it is not the case. This kind of thing happens every year." Biden added that he hopes to rebuild the immigration system.
Biden White House Press Conference Source CNN
When asked whether the US military would withdraw from Afghanistan as scheduled on May 1, Biden said that it was "very difficult" to withdraw as scheduled, saying that the United States was negotiating with its allies on how to advance this issue. In addition, Biden also issued a warning about North Korea’s missile launch, saying that "it is negotiating with allies and partners. If North Korea chooses to escalate the contradiction, the United States will respond accordingly." He also said that he agreed with the warning issued by former President Obama when he left office, that is, North Korea is the biggest foreign policy threat and problem. However, Biden also expressed his willingness to take diplomatic measures, "on the premise of denuclearization."
Biden also said at the press conference that he is expected to run for re-election in 2024. Because of the excellent performance of Vice President Harris, he will still consider choosing Harris as his running mate. When asked whether he would compete with former President Trump for the 2024 presidential election, Biden said that the most important issue for him at present is to deal with the COVID-19 epidemic and restore the US economy, and he was not sure whether Trump would still represent the Republican Party at that time.
Fox News commented that Biden’s first press conference since taking office only answered questions from 10 journalists. During the 62-minute period, many questions focused on the immigration on the US-Mexico border and the obstruction of the Senate, and there was no time to mention the COVID-19 epidemic, reopening schools and how to reduce public doubts about the COVID-19 vaccine. Besides, Biden only answered foreign policy questions about China and North Korea, without mentioning Russia.