Pyongyang
Telegram from Mao Zedong and Others
Congratulating Korea on the 17th Anniversary
of Its Liberation
(August 14, 1962)

Comrade Kim Il Sung, Chairman of the Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea, Premier of the Cabinet of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea,
Comrade Choe Yong Gon, Chairman of the Standing Committee of the Supreme People's Assembly of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea:

On the happy occasion of the 17th anniversary of Korea's liberation, we wish to express, on behalf of the Communist Party of China, the Government of the People's Republic of China, and the Chinese people, our warmest congratulations to the Workers' Party of Korea, the Government of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, and the fraternal Korean people as a whole.

Over these seventeen years, the Korean people, with their glorious revolutionary tradition, under the correct leadership of the Workers' Party of Korea and the Korean Government headed by Comrade Kim Il Sung, have waged a dauntless, heroic struggle against U.S. imperialist aggression and in defense of the independence and freedom of their fatherland, and have performed great exploits in the cause of socialist revolution and socialist construction. Today, with the revolutionary spirit of self-reliance and the mettle of mounting the winged horse, the Korean people are striving with full confidence to fulfill the grand Seven-Year Plan and take this year's six high targets in socialist construction. Rejoicing as much as they do over their own achievements, the Chinese people are elated and heartened by every success of the Korean people, and wish them still greater new achievements on the basis of the victories already won.

Standing firm at the eastern outpost of the socialist camp, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea resolutely opposes the policies of aggression and war pursued by U.S. imperialism, resolutely supports the liberation movements of the oppressed nations, and has made outstanding contributions to safeguarding the security of the socialist camp and preserving peace in Asia and the world. The Korean people's efforts to force the withdrawal of the U.S. forces of aggression from south Korea and to realize the peaceful reunification of their fatherland have won widespread sympathy and support from the people of the world. The Chinese people firmly support this patriotic and just struggle of the Korean people until their final victory is won.

China and Korea are fraternal allies and close comrades-in-arms. We note with pleasure that in recent years, the friendship and unity of our two peoples have become further consolidated and strengthened, and the relations of friendship, cooperation and mutual assistance between our two countries have developed in an all-round way, along with the progress of the socialist construction in both countries, their close cooperation in international affairs, the exchange of visits by the leaders of the two countries, and the signing of the Sino-Korean Treaty of Friendship, Cooperation and Mutual Assistance. The Chinese people will forever unite closely with their fraternal Korean people and, holding high the banner of Marxism-Leninism and proletarian internationalism, strive for the unity of the socialist camp and of the international communist movement, and for new victories in the cause of world peace, national liberation, democracy and socialism.

May the Democratic People's Republic of Korea enjoy prosperity and well-being. May the unbreakable, blood-cemented militant friendship between the people of China and Korea stand towering and everlasting like the Changbai Mountains, and flow on forever like the Yalu River!

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 State Council of the People's Republic of China
August 14, 1962