Biden: 'We are in a competition with China to win the 21st century'

President vows four free years of public education in first speech to Congress

President Joe Biden addresses a joint session of Congress in the House Chamber at the U.S. Capitol on April 28, as Vice President Kamala Harris. left, and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi look on. © AP

ALEX FANG, Nikkei staff writer

April 29, 2021 11:50 JST

NEW YORK -- As U.S. President Joe Biden's first 100 days draw to a close, he has one key message to the nation and the world: "America is on the move again."

In his first speech to Congress Wednesday night, Biden introduced an ambitious plan to strengthen U.S. national power, from adding four more years to free public education to boosting investment in research and development. The goal is simple: to fend off the challenge of China.