Politician · country

Jimmy Carter on China

Diplomatic pragmatist (strong) Position evolved

TL;DR

Jimmy Carter fundamentally believed in establishing diplomatic relations with the People's Republic of China based on mutual respect and engagement.

Key Points

He announced in December 1978 that the U.S. would establish official diplomatic relations with the People's Republic of China on January 1, 1979.
In the normalization agreement, the U.S. acknowledged the Chinese position that there is but one China and Taiwan is part of China.
The Carter Center was invited to monitor village elections in China for approximately ten to twelve years after Deng Xiaoping's immediate successors were in power.

Summary

Jimmy Carter's most consequential presidential foreign policy achievement regarding China was the establishment of official diplomatic relations with the People's Republic of China (PRC) effective January 1, 1979. This move followed secret negotiations, resulting in the U.S. recognizing the PRC government as the sole legal government of China and agreeing to sever diplomatic recognition of Taiwan. He maintained that despite differing histories, cultures, and political systems, maintaining this bilateral relationship with mutual respect was the most important in the world. After his presidency, he continued to advocate for engagement, noting that China's focus on infrastructure and peace had led to significant economic growth, in contrast to U.S. military spending.

Following his time in office, Carter and The Carter Center continued a constructive relationship, notably by observing democratic village elections in China with tacit approval from leadership for over a decade. He also worked with Deng Xiaoping’s son to establish a advanced prosthesis manufacturing plant in Beijing, which was reportedly the first time China had allowed another country to undertake such a project for them. While his approach was criticized by some as naive, supporters argue his patience and focus on positive trends fostered decades of peace and beneficial economic exchanges. More recently, he noted that the relationship had become strained due to tighter controls by the Chinese government on its people and organizations like The Carter Center.

Frequently Asked Questions

What was Jimmy Carter's primary achievement regarding China?

Jimmy Carter's primary achievement concerning China was successfully negotiating and establishing official diplomatic relations between the United States and the People's Republic of China in 1979, ending decades of estrangement. He considered this one of the best decisions he made as president, prioritizing engagement.

How did Jimmy Carter handle the Taiwan issue during normalization?

In establishing relations, Jimmy Carter had the U.S. acknowledge the PRC’s position that there is only one China, leading to the abrogation of the mutual defense treaty with Taiwan. However, he insisted that the resolution of the Taiwan issue must be achieved peacefully and that the U.S. would maintain cultural and commercial ties with the people on Taiwan.

Has Jimmy Carter's view on China changed over time?

Yes, Jimmy Carter's engagement with China evolved from establishing official ties to post-presidency humanitarian work, but his core belief in the importance of the bilateral relationship has remained strong. He noted in later years that the relationship had become more strained compared to the period immediately following normalization.