Telegram of Congratulations from Mao Zedong et al. on the Fifth Anniversary of Cuba’s Liberation
(December 1, 1963)
Havana
To Comrade Fidel Castro Ruz, First Secretary of the National Leadership Committee of the United Party of the Cuban Socialist Revolution and Prime Minister of the Revolutionary Government of Cuba,
and to Comrade Osvaldo Dorticós Torrado, President of the Republic of Cuba:

On this glorious occasion of the fifth anniversary of Cuba’s liberation,
on behalf of the Chinese people, the Communist Party of China, and the Government of the People’s Republic of China, we wish to extend our warmest congratulations to the heroic Cuban people, the United Party of the Cuban Socialist Revolution, and the Revolutionary Government of Cuba.

Over the past five years, the Cuban people, standing at the forefront of the socialist camp, under the firm and correct leadership of Comrade Fidel Castro, have remained united, holding high the banner of struggle against U.S. imperialism. With revolutionary heroism, they have shattered a series of conspiracies by U.S. imperialism—political isolation, economic blockade, military invasion, subversion, and sabotage—achieving one great victory after another. In doing so, they have dealt a severe blow to U.S. imperialist aggression, supported the revolutionary struggles of oppressed peoples and nations in Latin America, Asia, and Africa, and made outstanding contributions to world peace and the cause of human progress. Despite extremely difficult and complex conditions, the Cuban people have successfully advanced their revolution, establishing the first socialist state in the Western Hemisphere and setting a shining example for the revolutionary struggles of the peoples of Latin America and the entire world. The Chinese people and revolutionary peoples everywhere deeply admire these magnificent achievements of the Cuban people. We are firmly convinced that the heroic Cuban people will surely overcome any obstacles in their path and attain new, even greater victories.

The peoples of China and Cuba have forged a profound and combatant friendship in their common struggle against U.S. imperialism, in defense of world peace, in support of the revolutions of oppressed peoples, and in building socialism. The Chinese people have always regarded every victory won by the Cuban people as support and encouragement for themselves, and have considered it their internationalist duty to stand with the Cuban people in upholding their Five Demands, in resisting U.S. imperialist aggression, and in defending and developing the revolution. The Chinese people will forever remain closely united with the heroic Cuban people, the peoples of Latin America, and all other peoples of the world, continuing to fight tirelessly for new victories against imperialism and for world peace, national liberation, people’s democracy, and socialism.

We wish the Cuban people ever greater success in their revolutionary and nation-building endeavors. May the friendship between China and Cuba 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
December 31, 1963

Archival Photo
1963: Mao Zedong in Beijing.