Telegram of Mao Zedong et al. Congratulating the Eleventh Anniversary of the Founding of the German Democratic Republic (October 6, 1960)

To Comrade Walter Ulbricht, First Secretary of the Central Committee of the Socialist Unity Party of Germany and Chairman of the State Council of the German Democratic Republic, Comrade Otto Grotewohl, Premier of the German Democratic Republic, and Dr. Johannes Dieckmann, Chairman of the Presidium of the People's Chamber of the German Democratic Republic:

On the occasion of the eleventh anniversary of the founding of the German Democratic Republic, we, on behalf of the Communist Party of China, the Government of the People's Republic of China, and the Chinese people, extend fraternal congratulations to the Socialist Unity Party of Germany, the Government of the German Democratic Republic, and the German people.

Over the past eleven years, we have been pleased to see that the industrious people of the German Democratic Republic, under the leadership of the Socialist Unity Party of Germany and the Government of the German Democratic Republic, have achieved great successes in the cause of building socialism.

At present, the people of the German Democratic Republic are striving to accelerate the development of the national economy and complete the Seven-Year Plan ahead of schedule. We are deeply convinced that the completion of the Seven-Year Plan will make the German Democratic Republic even more prosperous and strong.

The Government of the German Democratic Republic and the German people have made positive contributions in the struggle against West German militarism fostered by US imperialism and in defense of European and world peace.

The Communist Party of China, the Government of the People's Republic of China, and the Chinese people have always supported and will continue to support the just struggle of the German people.

China and Germany are both members of the socialist family headed by the Soviet Union, and the people of the two countries have a profound friendship. The Chinese people cherish this friendship very much and will strive to enhance this friendship built on the basis of Marxism-Leninism and proletarian internationalism.

We wish the German people new achievements in the cause of building socialism, opposing imperialism and West German militarism, striving for the reunification of the motherland on a peaceful and democratic basis, and defending European and world peace.

Mao Zedong, Chairman of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China
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 People's Republic of China

[Date] in Beijing

Published in the *People's Daily* on October 7, 1960.