国际英语新闻:1st LD Writethru: Biden says no final declaration of victory, but "going to win this race"

WASHINGTON, Nov. 6 (Xinhua) -- U.S. Democratic nominee Joe Biden said Friday that he has no final declaration of victory, but he is "going to win" the presidential campaign.

"We don't have a final declaration of victory yet, but the numbers tell us it is a clear and convincing story: We're going to win this race," Biden said in a late night speech in his hometown Wilmington, Delaware.

Biden said he was given a "mandate" to act on issues including the COVID-19 pandemic, economy, climate change and systemic racism, and he, along with his running mate Kamala Harris, has met with experts on these challenges the United States is facing.

He noted that daily cases of COVID-19 are skyrocketing, pledging to immediately implement a plan to get the virus under control if elected.

In his speech, Biden also urged calmness and patience as vote counting continues.

"We have to remain calm, patient, let the process work out as we count all the votes," Biden said as the tight races in key battleground states such as Pennsylvania, Georgia, Nevada and North Carolina are yet to be called three days after Election Day.

Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger said earlier in the day that there will be a recount in the southeastern state due to a small margin.

"Your vote will be counted. I don't care how hard people try to stop it; I will not let it happen," said Biden, voicing confidence in carrying the states of Georgia, Pennsylvania, Nevada and Arizona.

In a tweet Friday afternoon, Republican incumbent Donald Trump said "Joe Biden should not wrongfully claim the office of the President. I could make that claim also," adding that "legal proceedings are just now beginning!"

As of Friday night, Biden is leading the 2020 presidential election with 253 electoral votes, while Trump has taken 213, according to cnn.

Fox News and The Wall Street Journal have forecast a higher number of electoral votes for the Democratic nominee at 264, awarding him Arizona, which carries 11 votes.