Telegram from Mao Zedong and Others Greeting the 16th Anniversary of the Founding of the German Democratic Republic

(October 6, 1965)

Berlin

Comrade Walter Ulbricht, First Secretary of the Central Committee of the Socialist Unity Party of Germany and Chairman of the State Council of the German Democratic Republic,

Comrade Willi Stoph, Chairman of the Council of Ministers of the German Democratic Republic,

Professor Dr. Johannes Dieckmann, President of the People’s Chamber of the German Democratic Republic,

Professor Dr. Erich Correns, Chairman of the National Council of the National Front of Democratic Germany:

On the occasion of the 16th anniversary of the founding of the German Democratic Republic, we extend warm congratulations to the people of the German Democratic Republic, the Socialist Unity Party of Germany, and the government of the German Democratic Republic.

The Chinese people have always followed with concern the cause of socialist construction of the people of the German Democratic Republic and are sincerely delighted by the achievements you have made. Under the patronage of U.S. imperialism, West Germany has become a hotbed of a new war in Europe. West German militarism is stepping up arms expansion and war preparations, seeking nuclear armament by every possible means, and vainly attempting to isolate and annex the German Democratic Republic, thereby gravely threatening peace in Europe and the world. The Chinese people have consistently and resolutely supported the just struggle of the people of the German Democratic Republic against U.S. imperialism and West German militarism, for the conclusion of a German peace treaty, and for the safeguarding of national sovereignty.

We wish the people of the German Democratic Republic new successes in their struggle against imperialism and West German militarism, in safeguarding peace in Europe and the world, and in the cause of socialist construction. May the friendly relations and cooperation between the peoples of China and Germany grow with each passing day.

Mao Zedong, Chairman of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China

Liu Shaoqi, Chairman 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 and Chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference

October 6, 1965

(Printed according to the text published in Renmin Ribao on October 7, 1965)