mkfile photo shows former U.S. President Jimmy Carter attending an event at the Carter Center in Atlanta, the United States, July 17, 2014. (Xinhua/Bao Dandan)" src="https://www.globaltimes.cn/Portals/0/attachment/2024/2024-12-31/e2664ed6-e1c8-4c8d-8e26-608bb6e81ded.jpeg" />

This file photo shows former U.S. President Jimmy Carter attending an event at the Carter Center in Atlanta, the United States, July 17, 2014. (Xinhua/Bao Dandan)

Former US President Jimmy Carter passed away at the age of 100 on December 29, 2024 local time, at his home in Georgia. During his presidency, China and the US officially established diplomatic relations. After leaving office, Carter continued to make significant contributions to the development of China-US relations. With a long-term vision, he viewed China's development with a rational perspective and maintained consistent enthusiasm for developing positive China-US relations. His legacy in China-US policy is precious and offers important insights for today's China-US relations, particularly in guiding US decision-making toward China.

On several public occasions, he emphasized that establishing diplomatic relations with China was one of the most correct and wise decisions he made as US president. In February 1977, shortly after taking office, Carter made it clear that he was committed to actively pursuing the normalization of relations with China. While previous Henry Kissinger's secret trip to China and then US President Richard Nixon's "ice-breaking" trip had already paved the way, establishing formal diplomatic relations encountered considerable political opposition within the US. Carter unwaveringly advanced China-US relations, taking political risks in the specific historical context of the time. This decision ultimately demonstrated his political courage and foresight.

It has been proven that the formal establishment of diplomatic relations was not only a major event in the history of China-US relations but also had an impact on the international landscape. After establishment of diplomatic relations, the Carter administration continued to actively promote exchanges and cooperation between the two countries in various fields. One example is the recent renewal of the China-US Science and Technology Agreement, which was a major achievement from the Carter administration. Signed as one of the first intergovernmental agreements after the establishment of diplomatic relations, it laid a solid foundation for China-US scientific and technological cooperation, playing a significant role in driving global technological progress and the development of related industries.

In addition to China's status as an "Eastern power," with its rapid economic and social development and steadily rising international standing, the normalization of relations with China has become an inevitable trend. Considering the broader context of the collective rise of the Global South in today's world, and China's role as a natural member of this group, trusted by other member countries, it can be said that Carter's approach to handling China-US relations was notably forward-looking.

Throughout his long commitment to promoting the development of China-US relations, Carter placed great importance on strengthening people-to-people exchanges between the two countries and played a pivotal role in these efforts. In addition to opening the door for people-to-people exchanges by facilitating the arrival of Chinese students to study in the US, he worked to deepen exchanges in areas such as education and culture. Carter also played a key role in promoting cooperation between the two countries in various other fields, including disability rights. What is even more remarkable is that these efforts spanned his presidency and persisted long after his presidency. Carter's contributions align closely with China's longstanding emphasis that "the foundation of China-US relations lies in the people and the source of strength lies in the friendship between the people."

One of Carter's regrets during his presidency was not being able to visit China. However, after leaving office, he remedied this by making multiple visits to China. While continuing to make significant contributions to the development of China-US relations and the friendly exchanges and cooperation between the two countries, Carter personally experienced and witnessed the transformative changes China underwent during its rapid development. He saw substantial progress in China's economy, society, and other areas, which deepened his understanding of China's immense potential for growth. He continued to believe that the US should not engage in confrontation with China.

Currently, China-US relations, or more specifically, US policy toward China, is once again at a crossroads. In 2020, Carter expressed in a congratulatory letter to a China-US people-to-people diplomacy webinar that the China-US "engagement" had brought unparalleled peace and prosperity to both countries and the world. Despite differences, the two countries were still able to cooperate in many areas. He also stated that in the long term, the American people will see that getting along with China is a key to our own prosperity, our own peace, and our good life. In the face of the reality that cooperation benefits both countries while conflict harms both, Carter's words and actions regarding China-US policy serve as a reminder to some American politicians who are still fixated on the containment and suppression of China. The facts continue to prove that a stable, healthy, and sustainable China-US relationship truly aligns with the common interests of both nations and the expectations of the international community.

The author is a research fellow of the Institute of American Studies under the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences. [email protected]