Telegram on the Fifteenth Anniversary of Liberation
(May 7, 1960)

Comrade Wilhelm Pieck, President of the German Democratic Republic,
Comrade Walter Ulbricht, First Secretary of the Central Committee of the Socialist Unity Party of Germany,
Comrade Otto Grotewohl, Premier of the German Democratic Republic,
Comrade Johannes Dieckmann, President of the Presidium of the People's Chamber of the German Democratic Republic:

On the occasion of the fifteenth anniversary of Germany's liberation from fascist enslavement, we extend, on behalf of the Chinese Communist Party, the Government of the People's Republic of China, and the Chinese people, to you, and through you to the Socialist Unity Party of Germany, the Government of the German Democratic Republic, and the German people, warm, fraternal congratulations.

Fifteen years ago, the great Soviet army smashed Hitler's fascist reactionary forces, opening up for the German people the path toward peace, democracy, and socialism. The industrious and brave people of the German Democratic Republic, under the leadership of the Socialist Unity Party of Germany, have achieved brilliant successes in the great cause of building socialism. Recently, the German Democratic Republic swiftly completed nationwide agricultural cooperativization, which is a tremendous victory in the socialist construction of the German people. The Chinese people feel heartfelt joy at every achievement made by the fraternal people of the German Democratic Republic.

The German Democratic Republic firmly implements a foreign policy of peace, has consistently made unremitting efforts to consolidate the unity of the socialist camp headed by the Soviet Union, and to oppose the imperialist policies of war and aggression, and has made positive contributions. The Government and people of the German Democratic Republic play a specially important role in the struggle against U.S. imperialism and the West German militarism fostered by it. The Chinese Government and people firmly support the just struggle of the Government and people of the German Democratic Republic to reunify Germany on the basis of peace and democracy.

We are pleased to see that the fraternal friendship and relations of mutual assistance and cooperation between the peoples of China and Germany have undergone extensive and all-round development. The Chinese people sincerely thank the Government and people of the German Democratic Republic for the strong support they have consistently given our country in our struggle to build socialism and oppose imperialism. We wish the Government and people of the German Democratic Republic, under the leadership of the Socialist Unity Party of Germany, still greater achievements in the struggle to build socialism, safeguard peace in Europe and the world, and reunify Germany. May the unbreakable fraternal friendship between the peoples of China and Germany grow ever more consolidated and develop daily.

Mao Zedong
Chairman of the Central Committee of the Chinese Communist Party

Liu Shaoqi
Chairman of the People's Republic of China

Zhu De
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 of the People's Republic of China

May 7, 1960