Former U.S. President Jimmy Carter, who passed away at the age of 100 on Sunday, left abundant legacies of promoting positive relations between China and the United States, including advocating that uniting the two countries for peace and progress is far more important than their differences.
Jimmy Carter, who served as the 39th president of the U.S. from 1977 to 1981, died at his home in Plains in the southern U.S. state of Georgia. according to a statement issued by the Carter Center.
Carter was born on Oct 1, 1924, in the southeastern U.S. state of Georgia. He held the record as the longest-lived former U.S. president, outliving his two successors, Ronald Reagan and George H.W. Bush.
Following his term in office in 1981, Carter embarked on several visits to China, showcasing his enduring dedication to fostering positive relations that extended well beyond his presidency.
During his visit to China in 2014, Carter stated in an interview with the China Central Television (CCTV) that while many differences may arise between the United States and China in the future, what unites them for peace and progress outweighs what sets them apart.
"We knew that China and the United States had different culture, different ancient history, different form of government, different interest. We solved the differences. So, we anticipated that in the future, there would be many differences between our two countries. But we also realized, I think accurately, that the things that bind us together for peace and progress are much more important than the things that divide us one from another. And of course, the United States has always been very deeply involved in Asia and in the Western Pacific. It's not a new thing," Carter said.
Moreover, the former U.S. president highlighted that currently, the combined influence of countries including Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa far exceeds that of the United States.
"We understand that in the past, after the World War II was over and particularly after the Soviet Union dissipated into Russian and 12 or so other countries, that the United States became the only world power that could be called a superpower. But now we see that the combined effect for Brazil and Russia and India and China and South Africa and other countries of much more important collectively than the United States," Carter said.
Former U.S. President Jimmy Carter leaves lasting legacy in fostering China-U.S. relations
During the New Year holiday running from Jan 1 to 3, major commercial districts across China all saw a surge in both consumer traffic and sales in consumption, according to the Ministry of Commerce.
The latest big data released by the Ministry of Commerce indicate that the average daily customer traffic at 78 key pedestrian streets and commercial districts nationwide rose by 5.9 percent compared with the New Year holiday season in 2025, while total sales increased by 4.9 percent.
In Wuhan City, central China's Hubei Province, the city's first park-style super commercial complex was bustling with visitors during the three-day holiday season.
On New Year's Day alone, the customer traffic at the complex exceeded 120,000 visits.
The newly opened business district features a wide range of immersive experiencing activities, including live band performances and interactive activities with small animals, while emphasizing friendly services.
These include facilities designed for families with infants, pet-friendly spaces, and dedicated cycling-friendly areas inside shops where cyclists can inflate tires and lubricate their bicycles.
In Beijing's Wukesong commercial district, a combination of trendy cross-industry collaboration and technology-driven innovation created fresh experiences for consumers during the holiday.
New Year countdown concerts and robot performances inside shopping malls added excitement for consumers.
Meanwhile, the Chunxi Road commercial district, Chengdu City of southwest China's Sichuan Province, panda-themed events attracted large crowds of shoppers.
Both residents and tourists flocked to the commercial district to take photos and purchase Sichuan-style specialty gifts.
"During the New Year holiday at our Chunxi Road store, foot traffic reached about one to two times the usual level. Around 1,500 visitors came to our store every day, and our turnover increased by about 60 percent. The other two stores we operate in the Chunxi Road commercial district also saw remarkble growth in both customer traffic and sales," said Ye Mingqian, manager of the Chunxi Road store of Panda Pastry Co.
In Shenzhen City, south China's Guangdong Province, the Pink Street commercial complex officially opened during the New Year holiday.
The new street brings together nearly 40 first stores and flagship stores, featuring intangible cultural heritage experiencing activities, creative dining, and avant-garde lifestyle brands.
"Our brand offers very distinctive cultural and creative products from Peru. By opening our store here in the Shenzhen Bay area, we hope to bring local residents more products that are fresh and more interesting," said a store owner named Ma Yuxia.
Key business districts see growth in customer traffic, sales during New Year holiday
