Telegram of Congratulations from Mao Zedong et al. on the Ninth Anniversary of the Algerian Revolution (October 31, 1963)

To His Excellency Ahmed Ben Bella, President of the People’s Democratic Republic of Algeria and General Secretary of the Political Bureau of the National Liberation Front of Algeria, and to His Excellency Hadj Ben Alla, Speaker of the National Assembly of the People’s Democratic Republic of Algeria: On the occasion of the ninth anniversary of the Algerian Revolution, on behalf of the Chinese people and the Government of the People’s Republic of China, and in our own names, we wish to extend to you, to the Algerian people, and to the Government of the People’s Democratic Republic of Algeria, our warmest congratulations.

Through more than seven years of armed struggle, the Algerian people won national independence, an event of great historical significance in the contemporary national liberation movement. Since independence, the heroic Algerian people, under the leadership of President Ahmed Ben Bella, have continued to advance their revolutionary cause with success, achieving substantial accomplishments in eradicating colonial forces, safeguarding national independence, developing the national economy and culture, and rendering important contributions to the liberation cause of the African peoples and to the defense of world peace.

The Chinese people are deeply gratified by these achievements. In their common struggle against imperialism and colonialism, the peoples of China and Algeria have forged a profound and fraternal bond of solidarity. Since the establishment of the People’s Democratic Republic of Algeria, the friendly and cooperative relations between our two countries have enjoyed further encouraging development. The Chinese people have always regarded the Algerian people’s revolutionary struggle and victories as powerful support for China’s own revolution and construction. The Algerian people may rest assured that, in their endeavors to uphold independence, build the nation, and carry forward the revolution, the Chinese people will forever be their most reliable friends.

We wish the People’s Democratic Republic of Algeria prosperity and flourishing. May the friendship between the peoples of China and Algeria endure for all time.

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 October 31, 1963 Printed according to the edition in the People’s Daily of November 1, 1963.