Jimmy Carter’s Diplomatic Legacy: Bridging The US-China Divide At Taiwan’s Expense

Former US President Jimmy Carter, who passed away Sunday at the age of 100, is remembered in China as the statesman who ended decades of hostility and established formal diplomatic relations between Washington and Beijing. However, this historic shift in 1979 came at a significant cost to Taiwan and remains a cornerstone of ongoing tensions across the Taiwan Strait.

A Diplomatic Pivot Amid the Cold War

The normalization of US-China relations under Carter marked a profound geopolitical change. At the height of the Cold War, his administration conducted months of secret negotiations with Chinese officials to formalize ties. This decision severed official relations with the Republic of China in Taipei, which the US had recognized since the Kuomintang’s retreat to Taiwan in 1949 after losing the Chinese Civil War.

Building on the groundwork laid by President Richard Nixon’s groundbreaking 1972 visit to Beijing, Carter officially announced on December 15, 1978, that the US would recognize the People’s Republic of China (PRC) as the sole legitimate government of China. This shift included terminating the US-Taiwan defense treaty and withdrawing military personnel from the island.

The formal establishment of diplomatic ties with Beijing on January 1, 1979, was celebrated in China. Shortly after, Carter hosted Chinese leader Deng Xiaoping at the White House, symbolizing a new chapter in bilateral relations.

“For too long, our two peoples were cut off from one another. Now we share the prospect of a fresh flow of commerce, ideas, and people,” Carter said at the welcoming ceremony. Deng praised Carter’s “farsighted decision” to end three decades of estrangement.

A Flourishing Relationship

The normalization facilitated a surge in trade, investment, and cultural exchange. Carter’s leadership opened doors for tens of thousands of Chinese students to study in the US, a pivotal moment in shaping China’s modernization. When asked about allowing Chinese students to study abroad, Carter famously agreed to host not just 5,000, as Deng suggested, but 100,000.

Despite worsening US-China ties in recent years, Carter consistently advocated for engagement. In a 2018 Washington Post article marking the 40th anniversary of normalization, he warned against a “modern Cold War” and urged dialogue to prevent military conflict over flashpoints like Taiwan and the South China Sea.

Complex Legacy in Taiwan

In Taiwan, Carter’s legacy is more contentious. The abrupt termination of US-Taiwan diplomatic ties in 1979 sparked anger and protests. Critics accused Carter of abandoning Taiwan, a sentiment that lingers to this day.

During a visit to Taipei in 1999, Carter faced demands for an apology from Taiwanese politicians who blamed his decision for delaying the island’s democratization. Carter defended his actions as necessary, citing the importance of peaceful resolution and the subsequent passage of the Taiwan Relations Act. This legislation allowed unofficial US-Taiwan relations to continue and committed the US to support Taiwan’s self-defense, maintaining a policy of “strategic ambiguity” regarding potential Chinese aggression.

Enduring Influence

Even after leaving office, Carter remained an influential figure in US-China relations. He visited China multiple times and was received warmly by Chinese leaders. His efforts also extended to promoting religious freedom and grassroots democracy, though such engagement has become nearly impossible under current Chinese policies.

Carter’s unique connection to China began in 1949 during his service in the US Navy, where he witnessed the Chinese Civil War firsthand. This experience, coinciding with the PRC’s founding on his 25th birthday, October 1, left a lasting impression that shaped his diplomatic priorities.

Remembering Carter in China

In China, Carter is remembered with respect and admiration. Following his death, Beijing expressed condolences, calling him a “key promoter” of US-China ties. Chinese social media echoed this sentiment, with many users affectionately referring to him as the “good old man.”

As relations between the US and China remain fraught, Carter’s vision of diplomacy and his efforts to bridge divides continue to resonate, leaving a legacy that underscores both the possibilities and complexities of international engagement.