Jimmy Carter, the 39th President of the United States, passed away at his home in Plains, Georgia, on Sunday at the remarkable age of 100. The Carter Center confirmed his peaceful passing, noting he was surrounded by family.
\"My father was a hero, not only to me but to everyone who believes in peace, human rights and unselfish love,\" Chip Carter, the former president's son, remarked in a heartfelt statement.
Carter holds the distinction of being the longest-lived U.S. president. His presidency from 1977 to 1981 was marked by significant contributions to international diplomacy, most notably in establishing diplomatic relations between the U.S. and the People’s Republic of China.
During his 1976 presidential campaign, Carter pledged to normalize U.S.-China relations, recognizing the importance of engaging with a nation comprising about a quarter of the world’s population. He believed that formalizing ties would foster peace in Asia and globally, and enhance commercial and cultural connections between the two nations.
Despite earlier efforts like the 1971 Ping-pong Diplomacy and President Nixon’s historic 1972 visit to China, formal relations were not established until Carter’s administration. After secret negotiations between Chinese leader Deng Xiaoping and Carter, the two countries issued the Joint Communique on December 16, 1978, officially recognizing each other and establishing diplomatic relations as of January 1, 1979.
Carter’s vision and dedication to fostering international partnerships have left a lasting legacy, underscoring the impact of diplomacy in shaping global relations.
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Jimmy Carter, advocate of stronger China-U.S. ties, dies aged 100
cgtn.com
