(June 30, 1955)
The people of Yugoslavia are a heroic people who have waged heroic struggles, and your Party has also waged heroic struggles. Your country has been liberated, the Eastern European countries and our China have been liberated, North Korea has been liberated, and now half of Vietnam under the leadership of Chairman Ho Chi Minh has also been liberated—all this constitutes a contribution to the world’s humanity. This is something that makes the imperialist elements unhappy. When we have quarrels, the imperialist elements are happy. Recently, the leading comrades of the Soviet Union held talks with the leading comrades of Yugoslavia. The Soviet Union took the initiative, and Yugoslavia also took the initiative. The Soviet delegation’s visit to Yugoslavia was warmly welcomed by the Yugoslav people, and a joint communiqué was issued after the talks between the two countries. We are very pleased with this joint communiqué, and the progressive humanity of the whole world is also very pleased.

Now our two countries have established diplomatic relations, which is a good thing. You recognized us very early on. Ever since the founding of our state, you have consistently supported us, and this position has never changed. There were reasons for the delay in establishing diplomatic relations with you, namely that we wished to build good relations with you together with the Soviet Union. It was better for the Soviet Union to first build good relations with you, and then for us to build good relations with you, so our establishment of diplomatic relations was delayed for a few years. Viewed from the international environment, establishing diplomatic relations now is somewhat more appropriate.

The Chinese people harbor friendly sentiments toward the Yugoslav people, and the Ambassador Comrade will be able to see this in China.

This was a conversation between Mao Zedong and the Yugoslav Ambassador to China, V. Popović.

Now, the issue of the deadlocked relations between the Soviet Union and Yugoslavia has been resolved. The international situation has promoted the resolution of this issue and promoted the improvement of mutual relations. This is for the cause of international peace, for the cause of socialism, and is in conformity with Marxism-Leninism. This does not mean that all mutual opinions are now in agreement, but as long as the main opinions are in agreement, then the problems will be easy to handle.

Recently I received a letter from Comrade Tito, in which he introduced you as the Ambassador to our country. I was very glad to receive this letter. This is not merely correspondence between state and state, but correspondence between comrades. On the 27th, Comrade Tito also received our country’s Ambassador to Yugoslavia and expressed friendly sentiments. I express my great thanks for this and request you to convey this gratitude to Comrade Tito. The relations between Yugoslavia and the Soviet Union and various other countries can still be further improved. We have heard that Comrade Tito is preparing to visit Moscow; I wonder if this news is true? (Popović: This news is true.) This is a very good thing. History and reality demand that we unite and cooperate. We still have time, there is no need to be impatient. There may still be some points of disharmony, but after a period of time, things will slowly get better. We must emphasize the points we have in common. Where there are differences, we can talk about them slowly, and we can unfold discussions. If a unanimous opinion cannot be reached, then it can be set aside and discussed later, without letting it hinder mutual relations. This is beneficial.

Our state was established late and is backward, and the construction now beginning will require a very long time. We need the help of the Communist Parties and peoples of various countries. You need help, and we also need help. If you discover shortcomings on our part, please bring them forward without reserve, and we can exchange views.