Letter to Nasser
(May 4, 1958)
His Excellency Mr. Gamal Abdel Nasser, President of the United Arab Republic:

I have received your letter of March 20, 1958, addressed to me. I am deeply grateful for the profound friendship you have expressed toward myself and the Chinese people.

Today, I had an audience with Lieutenant General Muhammad Yekrahin and the military delegation from your country that he is leading on a visit to China. Our talks were most cordial.

It gives me great pleasure to see the noble friendship between our two nations growing stronger and more firmly established for peaceful purposes. It is my sincere wish that the great cause under Your Excellency’s leadership will achieve even greater success, and that You may enjoy good health and happiness.

My heart goes out to You and to the people of your esteemed country, as well as to all the peoples of the Arab nation.

The cause of the Chinese people is now making considerable progress. In another few years or so, conditions in our country are likely to improve further. Lieutenant General Muhammad will be able to tell you more about this. No matter how the imperialists [1]
Muhammad Yekrahin,
at that time Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the United Arab Republic and head of the UAR Military Friendship Delegation to China.
[2]
On May 5, 1958, the People’s Daily published a Xinhua News Agency dispatch dated May 4 entitled “Chairman Mao and Vice Chairman Zhu Receive UAR Military Delegation.” The dispatch stated: “This evening, Chairman Mao Zedong received the UAR Military Friendship Delegation to China, headed by Lieutenant General Yekrahin, for a conversation lasting over an hour. Addressing the distinguished guests, Chairman Mao said that the Chinese people were very pleased to have gained the friendship of the United Arab Republic. He added that the peoples of the world all support you and the peoples of the Arab countries. We stand together on the same front in the struggle against colonialism, mutually supporting and caring for one another.”

no matter how they may oppose our country, they will never be able to halt its advance. Just as, regardless of how the imperialists may oppose your country and the entire Arab people, they likewise will never be able to prevent the progress of your country and of the Arab peoples as a whole.

With highest respect to Your Excellency!
Mao Zedong
Beijing, May 4, 1958