Telegram from Mao Zedong et al. Congratulating the German Democratic Republic on the Twelfth Anniversary of Its Founding
(October 6, 1961)


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;


To Comrade Otto Grotewohl, Chairman of the Council of Ministers of the German Democratic Republic;


To Dr. Johannes Dieckmann, Chairman of the People’s Chamber of the German Democratic Republic;


To Professor Dr. Erich Correns, Chairman of the National Committee of the National Front of the German Democratic Republic:


On the occasion of the twelfth anniversary of the founding of the German Democratic Republic, on behalf of the Communist Party of China, the Government of the People’s Republic of China, and the Chinese people, as well as in our personal capacities, we extend our warmest congratulations to you and, through you, to the people of the German Democratic Republic.


The German Democratic Republic has consistently pursued a peaceful foreign policy, making positive contributions to opposing imperialist policies of aggression and war and to safeguarding peace in Europe and worldwide. Currently, West German militarism, nurtured by Western powers led by the United States, has been revived, increasingly threatening peace in Europe and globally. Meanwhile, U.S. imperialism and its allies persistently obstruct the conclusion of a peace treaty with Germany, maintain the illegal occupation of West Berlin, and are exploiting the so-called “Berlin Crisis” they themselves have engineered to intensify military buildup and escalate international tensions. We once again solemnly declare that the Chinese people firmly support the resolute stance and reasonable proposals put forward by the Soviet Union, the German Democratic Republic, and the Warsaw Pact member states regarding the conclusion of a peace treaty with Germany and, on that basis, the normalization of the situation in West Berlin. We are confident that Ger…