Telegram of Congratulations from Mao Zedong et al. on the Seventeenth Anniversary of the Founding of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam (September 1, 1962) Comrade Ho Chi Minh, Chairman of the Central Committee of the Vietnamese Workers’ Party and President of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam; Comrade Truong Chinh, Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National Assembly of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam; Comrade Pham Van Dong, Prime Minister of the Government of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam: On the occasion of the seventeenth anniversary of the founding of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam, on behalf of the Communist Party of China, the Government of the People’s Republic of China, and the Chinese people, we extend our warmest fraternal congratulations to the glorious Vietnamese Workers’ Party, the Government of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam, and the Vietnamese people.  Over the past seventeen years, under the correct leadership of President Ho Chi Minh and the Vietnamese Workers’ Party, the industrious and courageous Vietnamese people have achieved great successes in their struggle against imperialist aggression as well as in the cause of socialist transformation and socialist construction. At present, imbued with a spirit of self-reliance and revolutionary zeal, the Vietnamese people are vigorously carrying out a patriotic emulation campaign, working with devoted enthusiasm, and resolutely implementing the First Five-Year Plan for the Development of the National Economy. The Chinese people are greatly encouraged by these developments and wish the Vietnamese people even greater and newer achievements.

The Government of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam has consistently and steadfastly waged a determined struggle to implement the Geneva Accords of 1954 and to achieve the peaceful reunification of the motherland. The brazen armed intervention and aggression of U.S. imperialism in South Vietnam have aroused the profound indignation of all Vietnamese people and have met with increasingly vigorous resistance from the people of South Vietnam. We once again reaffirm that the patriotic and just struggle of the Vietnamese people against U.S. imperialist armed aggression in South Vietnam and for the peaceful reunification of their homeland will always enjoy the firm support of the Chinese people.

The Democratic Republic of Vietnam has consistently pursued a policy of peace in its foreign relations, firmly opposing the aggressive and war-mongering policies of U.S. imperialism, actively supporting the liberation movements of oppressed peoples, and making outstanding contributions to safeguarding the security of the socialist camp and maintaining peace in Indochina and Southeast Asia. China and Vietnam are close neighbors, bound together like lips and teeth. Whether in the struggle against imperialist aggression or in the cause of building socialism, our two peoples have always shared weal and woe, supported each other, and cooperated closely. The Chinese people highly value the deep friendship between our two peoples, founded on Marxism-Leninism and proletarian internationalism, and will continue, together with the Vietnamese people, to make unremitting efforts to strengthen the fraternal relations of friendship, cooperation, and mutual assistance between China and Vietnam and to consolidate the great unity of the socialist camp.

May the Democratic Republic of Vietnam prosper and flourish! May the unbreakable combat friendship between the Chinese and Vietnamese peoples endure forever!

Mao Zedong, Chairman of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China Liu Shaoqi, President 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 Date: Year Month Day Printed from the People’s Daily, September 2, 1962.