Former U.S. President Jimmy Carter, a champion of global cooperation and diplomacy, passed away peacefully at 100 on Sunday, surrounded by family. His legacy includes reshaping U.S.-China relations during a critical era 🌍✌️.
The man who bridged nations
Carter, America’s longest-lived president, made history by normalizing diplomatic ties with the People’s Republic of China in 1979. Despite earlier milestones like Nixon’s 1972 visit and Ping-pong Diplomacy, formal recognition came under Carter’s leadership after secret talks with late Chinese leader Deng Xiaoping.
\"Normalization wasn’t just politics—it was about people,\" Carter once reflected. He envisioned a future where trade, culture, and shared values could unite nations. The 1978 Joint Communique he signed became the foundation for what’s now a $700 billion annual trade relationship 🚢💼.
A legacy beyond politics
From human rights advocacy to Habitat for Humanity volunteering, Carter’s post-presidency embodied his belief in \"unselfish love.\" His son Chip called him \"a hero to anyone who believes in peace\"—a fitting tribute for a leader who saw China not as a rival but as a partner in global progress 🌐🤝.
