National Day Telegram
(May 8, 1957)

Chairman Mao Zedong, Chairman Liu Shaoqi, and Premier Zhou Enlai today sent telegrams to President Antonín Zápotocký, Chairman of the National Assembly Zdeněk Fierlinger, and Prime Minister Viliam Široký of the Czechoslovak Republic, extending congratulations on the occasion of the Czechoslovak Republic’s National Day.

The congratulatory telegram stated: “As the Czechoslovak Republic celebrates its National Day, please allow us, on behalf of the Government and people of the People’s Republic of China, to convey our heartfelt and warmest congratulations to you and, through you, to the Government and people of the Czechoslovak Republic.

“The Chinese people are delighted to see that, under the leadership of the Communist Party of Czechoslovakia, the Czechoslovak people have achieved tremendous successes in the cause of building socialism, and we share their joy over these achievements.

“Not long ago, a government delegation of the Czechoslovak Republic, headed by Prime Minister Viliam Široký, paid a friendly visit to our country. During this visit, our two countries signed a Treaty of Friendship and Cooperation, an Agreement on Cultural Cooperation, and an Agreement on Health Cooperation. These agreements not only make an important contribution to the further development and strengthening of the friendly relations and cooperation between the peoples of China and Czechoslovakia, but also serve to reinforce the solidarity among the countries of the socialist camp led by the Soviet Union and to advance the cause of world peace.

“The telegram wished the Czechoslovak Republic ever greater prosperity and strength, and the unbreakable fraternal friendship between the peoples of China and Czechoslovakia continued consolidation and development.”