Speaking this week at the Carter Center and National Committee on U.S.-China Relations in Atlanta, former President Jimmy Carter said U.S. officials should respect China's sovereignty when it came to ruling Hong Kong.

Responding to audience questions during the "China Town Hall, National Reflections, Local Connections" meeting that was streamed live to more than 70 U.S. venues, Carter said U.S. intervention in the Hong Kong democracy dispute would violate China's sovereignty.

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China probably wouldn't reverse its decision to pre-select candidates for Hong Kong's 2017 election, Carter said, while urging continued internal Chinese discussions over the issue.

Addressing China's numerous regional disputes with the likes of Taiwan, Japan, South Korea and the Philippines, among other Pacific nations, Carter called for bilateral peaceful negotiations. That coincided with China's position on the various disputes. He said the U.S. and China had room to establish a harmonious bilateral relationship in the region.

Looking at the relatively new Xi Jinping leadership of China's government, Carter said Americans shouldn't form immediate judgments about China's future direction. He said Xi seemed to be a strong leader with vision who was responsive to popular opinion at home and abroad.

Carter said that upcoming meetings between President Barack Obama and Xi scheduled for next month and January 2015 presented an excellent chance for the U.S. to clearly define its conception of the new Pacific region political dynamics, and set a course for future relations. He said Obama could clarify previous statements that China was a "free-rider" on the economic and political scene.

Carter also spoke about his own China experiences. Noting that he was about turn 90 years old, Carter said his birthday also would mark the 65th anniversary of his first China visit. He said it was "very pleasant and wonderful" visit, adding he has visited China almost annually since then and met Xi four times, three times before Xi became president.

TagsJimmy Carter, diplomacy, president, carter center, National Committee on U.S.-China Relations