Telegrams of Congratulations from Mao Zedong et al. on the 30th Anniversary of Albania’s Liberation
(November 28, 1974)
Tirana
To Comrade Enver Hoxha, First Secretary of the Central Committee of the Party of Labour of Albania,
To Comrade Haxhi Lleshi, Chairman of the Presidium of the People’s Assembly of the People’s Republic of Albania,
To Comrade Mehmet Shehu, Chairman of the Council of Ministers of the People’s Republic of Albania,

Dear Comrades:

Thirty years have passed since the heroic liberation of Albania. As the fraternal Albanian people celebrate this glorious anniversary, 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 congratulations to you, to the Party of Labour of Albania, to the Albanian Government, and to the Albanian people.

The three decades since Albania’s liberation have been a period of valiant struggle by the Albanian people against enemies both at home and abroad, and a period of victorious advance along the socialist path.

Over the past thirty years, under the leadership of the Party of Labour of Albania headed by the great leader Comrade Enver Hoxha, the Albanian people have upheld the dictatorship of the proletariat, continuously carried out revolutionary campaigns, relied on self-reliance, and striven for national rejuvenation. In the course of the socialist revolution and socialist construction, they have achieved splendid successes. Today, Albania has undergone a fundamental transformation: it has risen from a poor and backward country to a thriving socialist state. The Party of Labour of Albania and the Albanian people have steadfastly adhered to Marxism-Leninism and proletarian internationalism, consistently supported the revolutionary struggles of the peoples of all countries, and resolutely opposed the aggressive policies and hegemonic ambitions of the two superpowers, the United States and the Soviet Union, particularly engaging in a head-on struggle against Soviet modern revisionism. This indomitable spirit of the Albanian people has won them the respect and admiration of peoples throughout the world.

The peoples of China and Albania are close comrades-in-arms and brothers. The Chinese people are overjoyed at the achievements made by the Albanian people on all fronts, and sincerely wish you further, even greater victories in the future.

The two Parties, the two States, and the two peoples have forged a profound revolutionary friendship and combat solidarity in their struggle against common enemies. This friendship and solidarity constitute a tremendous force that inspires our two peoples to forge ahead; it is based on Marxism-Leninism and proletarian internationalism and cannot be undermined by anyone. The Chinese people will, as always, remain closely united with the Albanian people, jointly striving to realize the great communist ideal.

Mao Zedong, Chairman of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China
Dong Biwu, Acting 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

Beijing, November 28, 1974
Printed in the People’s Daily, November 29, 1974.