Speech of Welcome for Voroshilov
(April 15, 1957)

Source: RMRB (April 16, 1957), 1. Other Chinese Text: XHBYK, 108 (May 25,
1957), 3. Available English Translation: NCNA, Daily News Release (April 16,
1957), 1–2.

The visit to China of K. E. Voroshilov, Chairman of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of
the USSR, lasted from April 15 to May 6, and then May 24–26, 1957. He gave a speech at
the Enlarged Meeting of the Standing Committee of the Chinese National People’s Congress
on the second day of his visit, April 16. (Mao’s invitation to Voroshilov to visit the PRC had
been made at the beginning of the year; see text Jan. 6, 1957.)
Mao’s speech here was delivered at Nanwan Airport, Beijing, where Mao personally
welcomed Voroshilov and his entourage.
For other documents attending Voroshilov’s visit, see RMSC (1958), pp. 396–401.

Dear Comrade Chairman Voroshilov:

Your visit to our country is an honor for the Chinese people and a great event in the
daily developing friendly relations between our two countries. On behalf of the Chinese
people, the Chinese government and the Communist Party of China, I extend to you
and to the comrades accompanying you our warmest welcome and brotherly respect.

The great people of the Soviet Union, under the leadership of the Communist
Party of the Soviet Union, have opened the glorious road of socialist revolution to
the proletariat of the world, and have set a great example for all of humanity in
building socialism and communism. With the encouragement and support of the
Soviet people, the Chinese people are themselves today forging ahead along the
road of the Great October Socialist Revolution.

The peoples of China and the Soviet Union have a deep, brotherly friendship
with each other. In the cause of China’s Revolution and construction, the Soviet
people have given us the greatest sympathy and support. Please allow me to express
my heartfelt gratitude to you and, through you, to the Soviet people, the Soviet
government, and the Communist Party of the Soviet Union.

Comrade Chairman, you are the representative of the great people of the Soviet
Union, and the closest friend of the Chinese people. We are confident that your visit
will further strengthen the great friendship between the people of China and the Soviet
Union, and will benefit the noble cause of promoting world peace and human progress.

Long live the unbreakable, brotherly friendship between the peoples of China
and the Soviet Union!
Long live the great Soviet people!
Long live the unity of the countries in the socialist camp headed by the Soviet Union!
Long live world peace!