Telegram from Mao Zedong and Others Congratulating the Cuban People on the Eleventh Anniversary of the Armed Uprising (July 25, 1964)

Comrade Fidel Castro Ruz, First Secretary of the National Leadership Committee of the United Party of the Socialist Revolution of Cuba in Havana and Prime Minister of the Revolutionary Government of Cuba; Comrade Osvaldo Dorticós Torrado, President of the Republic of Cuba: On this glorious occasion of the eleventh anniversary of the armed uprising of the Cuban people, on behalf of the Chinese people, the Communist Party of China, and the Chinese government, we extend to the heroic Cuban people, the United Party of the Socialist Revolution of Cuba, and the Revolutionary Government of Cuba our fraternal and warmest congratulations.

Eleven years ago, under the leadership of Comrade Fidel Castro, the Cuban people raised the banner of armed revolution, thus opening a brilliant chapter in the history of the revolutionary struggle of the Cuban and Latin American peoples. Following the correct path of armed revolution charted on July 26, the Cuban people, after a long and arduous struggle, finally overthrew the puppet regime of U.S. imperialism, achieved victory in the national democratic revolution, and resolutely embarked on the socialist road, establishing the first socialist state in Latin America.

Since the victory of the revolution, the heroic Cuban people, under the firm leadership of the Revolutionary Government headed by Prime Minister Fidel Castro, have worked tirelessly, surmounting countless difficulties, and have made tremendous achievements in all aspects of the socialist revolution and socialist construction. These facts fully demonstrate that the power of a people who have seized their own destiny, who dare to struggle and dare to win, is inexhaustible and invincible.

Socialist Cuba has grown and developed through courageous and tenacious struggle against U.S. imperialism. The Cuban people are welded together like steel around Comrade Castro and the Revolutionary Government, holding high the banners of revolution and of opposition to U.S. imperialism, adhering to the revolutionary line set forth in the two Havana Declarations and upholding the Five Just Demands [1], engaging in head-on struggle with U.S. imperialism to defend Cuba’s independence and sovereignty and to safeguard its socialism.

The consolidation and development of the Cuban revolution have greatly inspired and supported the national democratic revolutionary struggles of the peoples of Latin America, as well as the worldwide struggle of oppressed peoples and nations for liberation.

China and Cuba are both socialist countries. Our common task of opposing U.S. imperialism—the most vicious enemy of humanity—and of building socialism has closely united our two peoples. Following the victory of the Cuban revolution, the friendly relations between China and Cuba have undergone significant development on the basis of Marxism-Leninism and proletarian internationalism. Whatever may happen on Earth in the future, the Chinese people will always stand side by side with the brotherly Cuban people, with the peoples of Latin America and of the entire world, to fight to the bitter end against imperialism and for the triumph of world peace, national liberation, people’s democracy, and socialism.

May the revolutionary and constructive endeavors of the Cuban people achieve continuous victories! May the combat friendship between the peoples of 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 Zhou Enlai, Premier of the State Council of the People’s Republic of China

July 25, 1964 Printed according to the edition in the People’s Daily of July 26, 1964.

Notes [1] Refers to the five demands put forward in the statement issued by the Cuban government on October 28, 1962: (1) To cease the economic blockade and all measures taken by the United States to exert trade and economic pressure on Cuba throughout the world. (2) To stop all subversive activities, including airdropping or shipping weapons and explosives, organizing mercenary invasions, and sending spies and saboteurs—activities carried out from U.S. territory and that of certain accomplice states. (3) To halt pirate attacks launched from bases in the United States and Puerto Rico. (4) To prevent any further violations of Cuban airspace and territorial waters by U.S. military aircraft and warships. (5) To dismantle the Guantanamo naval base and return this piece of Cuban territory occupied by the United States.