Telegram of Congratulations from Mao Zedong et al. on the Fifteenth Anniversary of the Liberation of the German Democratic Republic (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, Prime Minister of the German Democratic Republic; Comrade Johannes Dieckmann, Chairman 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, on behalf of the Communist Party of China, the Government of the People’s Republic of China, and the Chinese people, we extend to you—and through you to the Socialist Unity Party of Germany, the Government of the German Democratic Republic, and the German people—our warm, fraternal congratulations.Fifteen years ago, the great Soviet Army shattered Hitler’s fascist reactionary forces, opening up for the German people a path toward peace, democracy, and socialism.
Under the leadership of the Socialist Unity Party of Germany, the hardworking and courageous people of the German Democratic Republic have achieved splendid successes in the great cause of building socialism.
Recently, the German Democratic Republic has once again swiftly completed the nationwide collectivization of agriculture, which represents a tremendous victory in the socialist construction of the German people.
The Chinese people are genuinely delighted by every achievement made by our fraternal brothers and sisters in the German Democratic Republic.

The German Democratic Republic steadfastly pursues a policy of peaceful diplomacy, consistently striving tirelessly and making positive contributions to strengthening the unity of the socialist camp led by the Soviet Union, as well as to opposing the imperialists’ policies of war and aggression.
The government and people of the German Democratic Republic play a particularly important role in the struggle against U.S. imperialism and the West German militarism it fosters.
The Government and people of the People’s Republic of China firmly support the just struggle of the Government and people of the German Democratic Republic to achieve the reunification of Germany on the basis of peace and democracy.
We are pleased to note that the fraternal friendship and cooperative relations of mutual assistance between the peoples of China and Germany have been broadly and comprehensively developed.
The Chinese people sincerely thank the Government and people of the German Democratic Republic for their consistent and vigorous support of China’s socialist construction and its fight against imperialism.We wish the Government and people of the German Democratic Republic, under the leadership of the Socialist Unity Party of Germany, even greater achievements in building socialism, safeguarding peace in Europe and throughout the world, and realizing the reunification of Germany.
May the unbreakable fraternal friendship between the peoples of China and Germany be further consolidated and developed.Chairman of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China Mao ZedongPresident of the People’s Republic of China Liu ShaoqiChairman of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress Zhu DePremier of the State Council Zhou EnlaiMay 7, 1960Printed according to the People’s Daily of May 8, 1960.