Telegram on the Fourth Anniversary of the Korean People’s Volunteer Army’s Participation in the War
(October 25, 1954)

Comrade Kim Il-sung, Premier of the Cabinet of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea:

I have received your telegram dated October 24, 1954. On behalf of the People’s Republic of China, the Chinese people, and in my own name, I wish to express our heartfelt gratitude and respect to all the Korean people, the Government of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, and to you personally.

The heroic peoples of Korea and China have forged a close-knit, life-and-death comradeship in their just struggle against aggression and in defense of peace. This friendship is an important factor in safeguarding peace in the Far East. As we continue to strive for the peaceful reunification of Korea and for the maintenance of peace in Asia, this friendship between our two peoples will undoubtedly be further consolidated and developed.

I sincerely wish the Korean people even greater success in the solemn endeavor of rapidly restoring their country’s national economy.

Mao Zedong
Beijing, October 25, 1954