The U.S. ambassador to China recently paid tribute to former President Jimmy Carter, recognizing his pivotal role in normalizing relations between the United States and China. Ambassador Nicholas Burns shared a heartfelt message on social media, accompanied by a photo of the U.S. flag at the embassy in Beijing flying at half-mast.
In his post, Ambassador Burns expressed his respect for President Carter, stating, 'Our flag at half-mast in the heart of Beijing in honor of President Jimmy Carter. Rest in Peace. @CarterCenter.'
President Carter was instrumental in the efforts to restore diplomatic ties with China in 1979, a significant milestone during a period marked by the ongoing Cold War tensions. Relations between the two nations had been severed following the establishment of the People's Republic of China in 1949.