China Reacts to Death of Former US President Jimmy Carter

The Chinese government on Monday paid tribute to former U.S. President Jimmy Carter, who died the previous day at the age of 100, praising him for being the “promoter and decision-maker” in the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two nations.

Why It Matters

During Carter’s one-term presidency from 1977 to 1981, the U.S. normalized its relations with China on January 1, 1979. While Washington acknowledged Beijing’s position that “there is but one China and Taiwan is part of China,” it continued to maintain unofficial relations with the self-ruled island, including arms sales.

China views Taiwan as part of its territory despite the Chinese Communist Party never having governed it. In recent years, Beijing has intensified its military pressure on Taipei by conducting exercises, as well as deploying ships and aircraft around the island on a daily basis. For the U.S., Taiwan forms part of the first island chain strategy—along with Japan and the Philippines—a north-south maritime containment plan to counter Chinese expansion.

What To Know

Chinese President Xi Jinping expressed deep condolences over the passing of Carter, Xinhua News Agency reported, noting that the 39th U.S. President had contributed to the development of bilateral ties, friendly exchanges and cooperation between the two nations.

In a message to U.S. President Joe Biden, Xi reiterated that the “China-U.S. relationship is one of the most important bilateral ties in the world,” and that Beijing is prepared to work with Washington to improve relations.

Xi’s remarks came less than a month before Donald Trump officially becomes the next U.S. president. Trump has named China hawks to his Cabinet and has positioned himself as being tough on China. Beijing has warned him to handle Taiwan-related issues prudently.

In Taiwan, Carter’s death met with mixed reactions. While the Presidential Office extended its sincere condolences, the opposition party, the Kuomintang, said he will be remembered by Taiwanese for his decision to derecognize the Republic of China—Taiwan’s official name.

On April 10, 1979, three months after the formal recognition of China, Carter signed the Taiwan Relations Act into law, which requires the U.S. to maintain its capability to resist any attempt to resolve differences across the Taiwan Strait by other than peaceful means.

Beijing has denounced the U.S. domestic law, which sets the legal basis for arms sales to Taiwan, as “wrong, illegal and invalid,” as well as interfering in China’s internal affairs.

What People Are Saying

Xie Feng, Chinese Ambassador to the U.S.: “President Carter saw establishing diplomatic relations with China as one of the most correct decisions he had ever made in his life. His historic contribution to the normalization and development of China-U.S. relations will always be remembered by the Chinese people. May he rest in peace, and may his legacy live on.”

Mao Ning, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson: “We pay high tribute to President Carter. He was a driving force and the decision-maker in the establishment of diplomatic ties between the U.S. and China.”

What Happens Next

It remains to be seen whether the incoming U.S. administration will continue to offer military support to Taiwan. Trump has suggested that he would not defend Taiwan from China.