Telegram of Congratulations from Mao Zedong et al. to the Democratic Kampuchea State
on the First Anniversary of Independence
(April 16, 1976)
Phnom Penh
To His Excellency Khieu Samphan,
Chairman of the Presidium of the Democratic Kampuchea State;

To His Excellency Pol Pot,
Prime Minister of the Government of Democratic Kampuchea;

To His Excellency Nuon Chea,
Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National Assembly of the People’s Republic of Kampuchea:

On the occasion of the first anniversary of the independence of the Democratic Kampuchea State, 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 Government of Democratic Kampuchea, and to the fraternal Cambodian people.

One year ago, after a long and heroic armed struggle, the revolutionary armed forces and people of Cambodia liberated the capital, Phnom Penh, achieving a great victory in the national liberation war and ushering in a new historical stage for the Cambodian revolution. Since the liberation, under the guidance of the correct line, the Cambodian people have continued to uphold independence, self-reliance, and self-sufficiency, carried forward the glorious traditions of revolutionary heroism and arduous struggle forged during the war years, resolutely defended national independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity, mobilized the entire nation, and vigorously restored and developed the national economy. In a short span of time, they have attained inspiring new victories. The Chinese people are deeply gratified to see the tremendous and profound revolutionary changes taking place in Cambodia. We are confident that the heroic Cambodian people, tempered in the crucible of war, under the correct leadership of the Cambodian revolutionary organizations, will surely overcome all difficulties and achieve even greater triumphs in the cause of building and defending their motherland.

The profound friendship in arms and revolutionary solidarity between China and Cambodia, and between the two peoples, have been nurtured through prolonged joint revolutionary struggles. Henceforth, the Chinese people will, as always, firmly support the revolutionary cause of the Cambodian people, stand in close solidarity with the fraternal Cambodian people, fight side by side, and advance together.

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

Zhu De, Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress of the People’s Republic of China

Hua Guofeng, Premier of the State Council of the People’s Republic of China

Beijing, April 16, 1976

Printed according to the edition published in the People’s Daily on April 17, 1976.