Telegram of Congratulations on the Establishment of the United Arab Republic [1]
(February 23, 1958)
To His Excellency Gamal Abdel Nasser, President of the United Arab Republic:
On the occasion of the official establishment of the United Arab Republic and Your election as its President, I, on behalf of the People’s Republic of China and the Chinese people, and in my own name, extend to You and to the people of the United Arab Republic our most sincere congratulations. May the United Arab Republic enjoy prosperity and flourishing.
Mao Zedong, Chairman of the People’s Republic of China
Beijing, February 23, 1958
[!]
The United Arab Republic was formed by the union of Egypt and Syria.
On February 1, 1958, Egyptian President Nasser and Syrian President Quwatli signed a declaration in Cairo announcing the establishment of the United Arab Republic, comprising Egypt and Syria. Subsequently, the parliaments of both countries separately adopted the Provisional Constitution of the United Arab Republic.
On February 21, citizens of both countries voted in a referendum, electing Nasser as President of the United Arab Republic.
On September 28, 1961, army units of the Damascus Military Region in the Syrian section of the United Arab Republic staged a coup and subsequently proclaimed the establishment of the Arab Republic of Syria.
On December 14 of the same year, Nazim al-Qudsi was elected President of the Syrian Republic. Egypt also changed its name to the Arab Republic of Egypt on September 1, 1971.