President of the Czechoslovak Republic
Dear Comrade Zápotocký,

On the occasion of your seventieth birthday, please accept the heartfelt congratulations of the Chinese people and myself personally.

You have waged a long and heroic struggle for the liberation of the working people of Czechoslovakia and have made outstanding contributions. At present, under the leadership of the Communist Party of Czechoslovakia and yourself, the Czechoslovak people are building their homeland into an increasingly prosperous and happy country, while tirelessly striving to safeguard peace and security in Europe. The Chinese people express their deep sympathy and support for this just cause of the Czechoslovak people.

I wish you even greater achievements in leading the Czechoslovak people in the cause of building socialism and safeguarding world peace, and I wish you good health and a long life.

Mao Zedong
December 16, 1954
Beijing