Tirana
Telegram on the Nineteenth Anniversary of Liberation
(November 28, 1963)

Comrade Enver Hoxha, First Secretary of the Central Committee of the Albanian Labor Party;
Comrade Haxhi Lleshi, Chairman of the Presidium of the People’s Assembly of the People’s Republic of Albania;
Comrade Mehmet Shehu, Chairman of the Council of Ministers of the People’s Republic of Albania:

On the occasion of the nineteenth anniversary of Albania’s liberation, 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 fraternal Albanian people, the Albanian Labor Party, and the Government of the People’s Republic of Albania.

Over the past nineteen years, the heroic Albanian people, under the correct leadership of the time-tested Albanian Labor Party headed by Comrade Enver Hoxha, have achieved splendid successes in the socialist revolution and socialist construction. Today, the Albanian people, with an indomitable fighting spirit and full confidence, are striving to successfully complete the Third Five-Year Plan. We firmly believe that the Albanian people, welded together like steel around the Labor Party and relying on their own efforts with the support of peoples all over the world, will surely overcome any difficulties and obstacles on their path forward and attain even greater victories.

The Government of the People’s Republic of Albania has consistently pursued a peaceful foreign policy, worked tirelessly to strengthen solidarity with the peoples of the socialist camp, resolutely opposed the aggressive and war-mongering policies of imperialism, and actively supported the revolutionary struggles of all oppressed peoples and nations. In doing so, it has played a significant role in safeguarding world peace and advancing human progress. The international standing of the People’s Republic of Albania has been steadily rising, and the Albanian people have friends throughout the world.

The Albanian Labor Party has steadfastly upheld the banner of Marxism-Leninism and proletarian internationalism, remaining faithful to the revolutionary principles set forth in the 1957 Declaration and the 1960 Statement. It has made outstanding contributions to combating modern revisionism and dogmatism, defending Marxism-Leninism, and preserving the unity of the international communist movement. The Chinese people and the Communist Party of China deeply admire this high degree of principled stance and revolutionary fighting spirit displayed by the time-tested Albanian Labor Party.

The great friendship and combat solidarity between China and Albania—between our two parties and our two peoples—are founded upon the principles of Marxism-Leninism and proletarian internationalism; they have stood the test of time and remain unbreakable. The Chinese people will forever remain closely united with the fraternal Albanian people, holding high the banner of opposing imperialism and safeguarding world peace, as well as the banner of Marxism-Leninism, to jointly strive for new victories in the cause of world peace, national liberation, people’s democracy, and socialism.

We wish the socialist construction endeavors of the Albanian people ever greater prosperity. May the eternal, unbreakable fraternal friendship between the Chinese and Albanian peoples flourish 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

Beijing, November 28, 1963

Complete Works of Mao Zedong
Volume 46
November 29, 1963: After watching the play “The Sentinel Under the Neon Lights,” Mao Zedong met with the actors.