China paid heartfelt tribute to former U.S. President Jimmy Carter, who passed away at 100, recognizing his pivotal role in shaping modern diplomacy between the two nations. 🌟 Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning called Carter a \\"promoter and decision-maker\\" in forging U.S.-China diplomatic relations during a Monday briefing.
🔍 Why it matters: Carter’s presidency (1977–1981) oversaw the historic 1979 establishment of diplomatic ties with China, ending decades of Cold War-era separation. The move unlocked decades of economic collaboration and cultural exchanges that reshaped global politics.
🇨🇳🤝🇺🇸 \\"China highly commends his contributions to friendly exchanges and cooperation,\\" Mao stated, highlighting Carter’s lifelong advocacy for cross-Pacific partnership. His leadership helped bridge divides – from trade to tech – that still define today’s interconnected world.
📜 Flashback: The 1978 U.S.-China Joint Communique, signed under Carter, ended formal recognition of the Taiwan region by Washington, a cornerstone of the one-China principle. This framework remains central to cross-strait diplomacy.
💡 Carter’s post-presidency work through the Carter Center continued fostering global health and democracy initiatives, earning him a Nobel Peace Prize in 2002. His legacy reminds us that diplomacy can turn rivals into partners.
