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17 things you may not know about Joe Biden and his presidency

  • Democratic politician Joe Biden becomes the 46th President of the United States of America having served as the 47th vice-president of the United States under Barack Obama from 2009 to 2017
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1. Who is Joe Biden?

Democratic politician Joe Biden becomes the 46th President of the United States of America having served as the 47th vice-president of the United States under Barack Obama from 2009 to 2017. Learn more
Joe Biden on the campaign trail in Florida. File photo: AFP

2. What religion is Joe Biden?

Joe Biden, wears his faith on his sleeve and is the second Catholic president in US history after JFK. Learn more
Joe Biden frequently credits his working-class Irish Catholic roots with shaping his values on social and economic issues. File photo: AP

3. What changes have been made to the Oval Office?

A new rug, a new chair and no more Trump ‘Diet Coke button’. Learn more
The Oval Office of the White House has been redecorated. Photo: AP

4. What are the main events of Joe Biden’s inauguration day?

From religious services to taking the oath of office we outline what inauguration day looks like. Learn more
The US Capitol in Washington. Photo: AP

5. How will a Biden Presidency change the balance of US-China-Taiwan Relations?

Joe Biden is expected to walk a fine line that offers support to Taipei but does not antagonise Beijing. Learn more
Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen congratulated Joe Biden on winning the US presidency even though he has not spelt out his position on US-Taiwan relations. Photo: EPA-EFE

6. Who is Kamala Harris?

How did she become the first woman, and the first black and Asian American Vice President of the United States of America. Learn more
Kamala Harris on the 2020 campaign trail. File

7. What could Biden’s divided United States mean for China?

The president-elect could suffer a backlash at home if he veers too far from the ‘America first’ policies popular among Trump supporters. Learn more
Supporters of US President Donald Trump protest in front of the US Capitol building in Washington on Wednesday. Photo: Reuters

8. Will Joe Biden fix Canada’s broken relations with China?

Arrest of Huawei’s Meng blighted Sino-Canada relations during the Trump presidency – but even if she is freed, US policy will still affect Ottawa. Learn more
Illustration: Henry Wong

9. How might China test the new Joe Biden administration?

Beijing ‘will be watching closely to see if Biden organises the world against China’, says a former US State Department official. Learn more
Beijing may test the new US leader. Illustration: SCMP

10. What does Biden's presidency mean for Asia?

Will his policies help strengthen bilateral relations in Asia? Learn more
Photo: Reuters

11. What does a 50-50 Senate get Joe Biden as president?

New balance of power in Senate gives Democrats barest control of Congress - but has big consequences for Joe Biden. Learn more
Control of Congress hands power to the Democrats to advance Joe Biden’s policy goals. Photo: Reuters

12. How does the Electoral College allocate votes?

Efforts to modify or abolish the Electoral College system, which originated in 1787, have not succeeded. Learn more
The Electoral College system allots electors to the 50 states and the District of Columbia largely based on their population. Photo: TNS

13. How did Trump and Biden differ on key US election issues?

From the economy and taxes to the Coronavirus Pandemic, their policies could not be more different. Learn more
Former US vice-president Joe Biden and US President Donald Trump. Photo: AFP

14. What were the 10 key moments that defined the 2020 US election?

Racial justice protests, the death of a judge, and an impeachment trial were big news in 2020. Learn more
US President Donald Trump, infected with Covid-19, leaves hospital to joyride past supporters in Bethesda, Maryland on October 4. Photo: AFP

15. What allegations were made toward Hunter Biden in the 2020 US election?

New York Post story suggests that Joe Biden used his former position as vice-president to enrich his son Hunter. Learn more
Joe Biden's son Hunter Biden. Photo: AFP

16. Does Joe Biden have any pets?

Why dogs are the most popular presidential pet. Learn more
President Barack Obama running with his dog Bo, President Bill Clinton walks his puppy Buddy at the White House, and President George W. Bush walks off Air Force One carrying the family pets Barney and Miss Beazley. Photos: Agence France-Presse/The White House, AP, Agence France-Presse

17. Joe Biden is 78. Is he a one-term president?

The president-elect has remained purposefully vague about his future plans. Learn more
Come January 20, 2021, Joe Biden would be America’s oldest president, ever. Photo: AP

In Numbers

  • Joe Biden unsuccessfully ran for the US Presidency in 1988 & 2008 before his successful 2020 campaign. Learn more
  • At 78 years old, Joe Biden becomes be America’s oldest ever president. Learn more
  • Joe Biden first became a US Senator in 1972 with a win in the state of Delaware. Learn more

SCMP Knowledge

For more on Joe Biden and what his presidency means for China relations visit our . For explainers on key topics including , the  and much much more visit .
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