Telegram on the Twelfth Anniversary of Founding
(August 31, 1957)

Comrade Ho Chi Minh, President of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam;
Comrade Sun De Sheng, Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National Assembly of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam;
Comrade Pham Van Dong, Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam:

On the occasion of the twelfth anniversary of the founding of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam, on behalf of the Government and the people of the People’s Republic of China, we hereby extend to you, and through you to the Government and the people of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam, our warmest congratulations.

Under the leadership of the Vietnamese Workers’ Party and the Government of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam, the Vietnamese people have achieved new successes over the past year in restoring and developing their national economy, a development that fills the Chinese people with great joy. The tireless efforts made by the Government of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam to secure the full implementation of the Geneva Agreements have won not only the support of the Vietnamese people but also the sympathy and backing of the Chinese people and of all peace-loving nations throughout the world.

The contributions of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam to further strengthening the unity of the socialist camp—particularly Chairman Ho Chi Minh’s recent friendly visits to various socialist countries, as well as the new achievements attained in developing fraternal relations with neighboring states and other peace-loving Asian nations—will undoubtedly be conducive to safeguarding peace in Asia and the world.

We wish the Vietnamese people ever greater success in their struggle for the independence, peace, and reunification of their motherland, as well as in the restoration and development of their national economy.

We also express our hope that the unbreakable fraternal friendship and cooperation between China and Vietnam will continue to grow and be consolidated.

Mao Zedong, President of the People’s Republic of China
Liu Shaoqi, Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress of the People’s Republic of China
Zhou Enlai, Premier of the State Council and Minister for Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of China

Beijing, August 31, 1957