Telegram of Congratulations from Mao Zedong et al. on the Eighteenth Anniversary of the Liberation of Czechoslovakia (May 8, 1963)  To Comrade Antonín Novotný, First Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Czechoslovakia and President of the Czechoslovak Socialist Republic; to Comrade Viliam Široký, Prime Minister of the Czechoslovak Socialist Republic; and to Comrade Zdeněk Fierlinger, Chairman of the National Assembly of the Czechoslovak Socialist Republic:

On the occasion of the eighteenth anniversary of the liberation of Czechoslovakia, on behalf of the Chinese people, the Communist Party of China, and the Government of the People’s Republic of China, we extend our warmest congratulations to the people of Czechoslovakia, the Communist Party of Czechoslovakia, and the Government of the Czechoslovak Socialist Republic. The Chinese people are deeply gratified by the achievements made in socialist construction under the leadership of the Communist Party of Czechoslovakia and the Government of the Czechoslovak Socialist Republic.

Over the long course of revolutionary struggle and the common cause of socialist construction, the peoples of China and Czechoslovakia have forged a profound friendship. Maintaining and strengthening the friendly solidarity between our two peoples is of great significance for bolstering the strength of the socialist camp and for the worldwide struggle of the peoples against imperialism.

The Chinese people will, as always, on the basis of Marxism-Leninism and proletarian internationalism, and in accordance with the Moscow Declaration and the Moscow Statement, join hands with the people of Czechoslovakia to strive together for new victories in the cause of world peace, national independence, democracy, and socialism.

We wish the people of Czechoslovakia further successes in their endeavors to build socialism and safeguard world peace. May the fraternal friendship between the peoples of China and Czechoslovakia grow ever stronger.

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

May 8, 1963  Printed according to the edition in the People’s Daily of May 9, 1963.