"We're in a battle between democracies and autocracies," Biden said on Friday, May 28, during Memorial Day remarks at the Virginia base. "The more complicated the world becomes, the more difficult it is for democracies to come together and reach consensus.

"I've spent more time with President Xi [Jinping] of China than any world leader has," Biden said. "For 24 hours of private meetings, with just an interpreter, 17,000 miles traveling in China and here." 

"He [President Xi] firmly believes that China, before the year 2035, is going to own America, because autocracies can make quick decisions," Biden added.

The president didn't go into detail on what he meant by "own America." During his 23-minute speech, he made no other reference to China, as reported by New York Post.

After an emotional tribute to his late son Beau, who served in the Iraq War, the president discussed the final withdrawal of U.S. troops from Afghanistan.

"You all just showed up and did your job, and it helped make sure there hasn't been another attack on the homeland from Afghanistan for the last 20 years," he said. "And you never gave up until we delivered justice to Osama bin Laden."

Biden claimed that "the greatest threat and likelihood of attack from al Qaeda or ISIS is not going to be from Afghanistan; it's going to be from five other regions of the world that have significantly more presence of both al Qaeda and organizational structures, including ISIS."

Biden also told troops that America is "unique" in the world because it is the only country founded on an "idea."