Telegram on the Twelfth Anniversary
(July 25, 1965)
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:

As the Cuban people celebrate the twelfth anniversary of the armed uprising, 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 Cuban people, the United Party of the Cuban Socialist Revolution, and the Revolutionary Government of Cuba.

The July 26 Armed Uprising launched by the Cuban people twelve years ago opened the path for the Cuban revolution to achieve victory. Since the revolution’s triumph, the Cuban people have steadfastly fought against the aggressive and interventionist policies of U.S. imperialism, safeguarding their homeland and the fruits of their revolution, and have made significant contributions to the cause of world peace.

The revolution and victories of the Cuban people, together with the revolutionary spirit embodied in the two Havana Declarations, have inspired and strengthened the resolve and confidence of the peoples of Latin America in their struggle for liberation. Today, the national democratic revolutionary movement in Latin America—anti-imperialist and anti-dictatorial—is reaching new heights.

The combat friendship between the peoples of China and Cuba has been tempered and nurtured in the course of our common struggle against U.S. imperialism. It is founded upon the principles of Marxism-Leninism and proletarian internationalism, and has stood the test of time. In our shared fight against U.S. imperialism, for world peace, national liberation, people’s democracy, and socialism, the Chinese people will forever stand in solidarity with the Cuban people and advance together.

We wish the Cuban people continued new victories in their revolutionary and nation-building endeavors. 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 of the People’s Republic of China
Zhou Enlai, Premier of the State Council of the People’s Republic of China
July 25, 1965