Telegram on the Anniversaries of Independence and Liberation
(November 26, 1957)

Comrade H. Llesh, Chairman of the Presidium of the People’s Assembly of the People’s Republic of Albania;
Comrade M. Shehu, Chairman of the Council of Ministers of the People’s Republic of Albania;
Comrade E. Hoxha, First Secretary of the Central Committee of the Party of Labour of Albania:

On the occasion of the forty-fifth anniversary of Albania’s national independence and the thirteenth anniversary of its liberation, on behalf of the Chinese people and the Government of the People’s Republic of China, we hereby extend to you, and through you to the fraternal Albanian people and the Government of the People’s Republic of Albania, our most heartfelt and warmest congratulations.

Forty-five years ago, the indomitable struggle waged by the heroic Albanian people against the dark rule of Turkey in pursuit of national liberation greatly inspired oppressed peoples worldwide, bolstering their confidence in achieving victory in the national liberation movement. Subsequently, during the anti-fascist war of liberation, the Albanian people, under the leadership of the Party of Labour of Albania, displayed unparalleled courage, fortitude, unyielding perseverance, and a spirit of overcoming all difficulties, earning universal acclaim from the peoples of all anti-fascist nations.

Over the past thirteen years, guided by the Party of Labour of Albania, the Albanian people have made tremendous achievements in building socialism, improving the standard of living, strengthening solidarity among the countries of the socialist camp led by the Soviet Union, and safeguarding world peace. The Chinese people are deeply delighted by these accomplishments.

In recent years, the friendly and cooperative relations between the peoples of China and Albania have experienced significant development. The mutual visits of the delegation of the National People’s Congress of the People’s Republic of China, headed by Comrade Peng Zhen, and the delegation of the People’s Assembly of the People’s Republic of Albania, led by Comrade Rita Marko, have further reinforced this friendship and cooperation.

We wish the fraternal Albanian people ever greater successes in building a happy life and in the cause of maintaining world peace and advancing human progress. May the brotherly friendship and cooperation between the peoples of China and Albania continue to be consolidated and developed.

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 of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of China

Beijing, November 26, 1957

[1] Peng Zhen, at that time Vice Chairman and Secretary-General of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress, First Secretary of the CPC Beijing Municipal Committee, and Mayor of Beijing, led a delegation of the National People’s Congress of the People’s Republic of China together with a delegation of the Beijing Municipal People’s Committee to visit the People’s Republic of Albania in January 1957.
[2] Rita Marko, then Chairwoman of the People’s Assembly of the People’s Republic of Albania, led a delegation of the People’s Assembly to China in May 1957.