Pyongyang
Telegram on the Twentieth Anniversary
(August 14, 1965)

To Comrade Kim Il-sung, Chairman of the Central Committee of the Workers’ Party of Korea and Premier of the Cabinet of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea,

And to Comrade Choe Yong-geon, President of the Presidium of the Supreme People’s Assembly of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea:

On the occasion of the twentieth anniversary of Korea’s liberation, on behalf of the Communist Party of China, the Government of the People’s Republic of China, and the Chinese people, we extend our warmest fraternal congratulations to the Workers’ Party of Korea, the Government of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, and the Korean people.

Twenty years ago, the heroic Korean people, after a long and arduous struggle, finally overthrew the colonial rule of Japanese imperialism and achieved national liberation. Over the past two decades, under the leadership of the Workers’ Party of Korea headed by Comrade Kim Il-sung, the Korean people have carried forward their glorious revolutionary traditions, scoring brilliant victories in their fight against U.S. imperialist aggression and in defense of their country’s independence. In the cause of building socialism, they have held high the banner of the Chollima Movement, upheld the revolutionary spirit of self-reliance, and attained tremendous achievements. The Chinese people rejoice heartily at every success attained by our brotherly Korean people.

The great unity and combat friendship between the peoples of China and Korea were forged in blood during their long common revolutionary struggle. This unity and friendship are based on Marxism-Leninism and proletarian internationalism; they have stood the test of time and remain unbreakable. The Chinese people will forever stand closely united with the brotherly Korean people, jointly fighting against imperialism, safeguarding peace in Asia and the world, and striving for the victory of the socialist cause, advancing hand in hand.

We wish the Korean people new and even greater successes in their socialist construction and in their struggle for the peaceful reunification of the motherland. We also hope that the great unity and combat friendship between the peoples of China and Korea will be further consolidated and developed.

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

August 14, 1965