Jimmy Carter's legacy vital for improving China-US ties

Former US president Jimmy Carter passed away at the age of 100 on Dec 29 at a time when the world is threatened by ongoing regional conflicts, and there is talk of World War III and even a nuclear war. Carter devoted much of his life to maintaining peace and promoting reconciliation, which included the Camp David Accords signed in September 1978 that brokered peace between Egypt and Israel.

His 2006 book Palestine: Peace Not Apartheid, showed that he was not afraid of criticizing the United States' closest ally, in sharp contrast to US politicians today who have, wittingly or otherwise, endorsed the atrocities committed in the Gaza Strip during the past 14 months.

Carter wanted to do the right things. For example, he signed treaties with Panama's leader in 1977 to gradually hand over the control of the Panama Canal to the Latin American country despite the criticism of Republican politician Ronald Reagan.