Telegram of Congratulations from Mao Zedong et al. to the People’s Armed Forces for the National Liberation of Cambodia on the Complete Liberation of Phnom Penh
(April 17, 1975)

To His Royal Highness Norodom Sihanouk,
Head of State of Cambodia and Chairman of the National United Front of Kampuchea;

To His Royal Highness Penn Nouth,
Chairman of the Central Political Bureau of the National United Front of Kampuchea and Prime Minister of the Royal Government of National Union of Cambodia;

To His Excellency Khieu Samphan,
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defense of the Royal Government of National Union of Cambodia, as well as Commander-in-Chief of the People’s Armed Forces for the National Liberation:

Under the mighty offensive of the People’s Armed Forces for the National Liberation of Cambodia, Phnom Penh has been completely liberated. This triumphant news has greatly uplifted the hearts of all. On behalf of the Communist Party of China, the Chinese Government, and the Chinese people, we extend our warmest congratulations and highest respect to you, to the National United Front of Kampuchea, to the Royal Government of National Union of Cambodia, to the heroic People’s Armed Forces for the National Liberation of Cambodia, and to all the Cambodian people.

Five years ago, U.S. imperialism hatched a treacherous plot, instigating a reactionary coup d’état by the Lon Nol [1] traitorous clique, and even brazenly dispatched troops into Cambodia in a desperate attempt to turn an independent, peaceful, and neutral Cambodia into its colony. However, the Cambodian people, heirs to a glorious tradition of anti-imperialist revolution, rose up in defiance of tyranny. Rallying around the National United Front of Kampuchea, chaired by His Royal Highness Norodom Sihanouk, they waged a five-year-long, valiant and tenacious struggle, surmounting countless obstacles, until they finally achieved a decisive victory in the national liberation war. This great triumph won by the Cambodian people through armed struggle once again eloquently demonstrates that, so long as one adheres to the correct path, a weaker nation can surely vanquish a stronger one, and a small country can certainly overcome a large power.

The indomitable revolutionary spirit and fearless heroism displayed by the Cambodian people during their prolonged armed struggle have set a shining example for revolutionary peoples worldwide, earning them the admiration and praise of nations everywhere. The magnificent victory of the Cambodian people has not only made a significant contribution to the anti-imperialist struggle of the Indochinese peoples but has also powerfully inspired and advanced the revolutionary struggles of all oppressed nations and peoples across the globe.

The peoples of China and Cambodia are as close as brothers and sisters. Throughout our long anti-imperialist struggles, our two peoples have consistently shown mutual sympathy, encouragement, and support, forging a profound friendship forged in battle. The Chinese people rejoice in the victory of the Cambodian people as if it were their own. The fraternal Cambodian people may rest assured that, in future struggles, the Chinese people will forever stand with you and advance together.

The liberation of Phnom Penh marks the entry of the Cambodian national liberation movement into a new historical stage. We are firmly convinced that, under the banner of the National United Front of Kampuchea, chaired by His Royal Highness Norodom Sihanouk, the Cambodian people, by strengthening the great unity of the entire nation and all its people and continuing their courageous fight, will undoubtedly achieve ever greater victories. Kampuchea will emerge anew in the East of the world.

Notes

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

Zhou Enlai, Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress of the People’s Republic of China and Premier of the State Council of the People’s Republic of China

Beijing, April 17, 1975

Printed according to the edition in the People’s Daily of April 18, 1975.

[1] Lon Nol, formerly Prime Minister of the Cambodian Cabinet and Minister of National Defense, as well as Commander-in-Chief of the Royal Cambodian Armed Forces. In early 1970, taking advantage of His Royal Highness Norodom Sihanouk’s absence abroad, he launched a coup, declaring the “dethronement” of the Head of State, His Royal Highness Norodom Sihanouk. On October 9, 1970, he abolished the constitutional monarchy and established the puppet “Khmer Republic,” serving as both Prime Minister and Minister of National Defense, as well as four-star General and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces. On June 4, 1972, he was “elected” president of the puppet “Khmer Republic” in a rigged “election.” On the eve of the liberation of Phnom Penh, on April 1, 1975, he fled Cambodia and went into exile in the United States.