What did the declassified documents reveal?

This is a declassified Defense Intelligence Agency record titled Handbook of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army, dated November 1984. It is notable because it provides the United States government’s most comprehensive open‑source assessment of the People’s Liberation Army as of the mid‑1980s. The document was made publicly available through The Black Vault, which posted the full text on its website. The release is part of a broader effort to provide historical intelligence documents to researchers under the Freedom of Information Act. The declassification authority is the Defense Intelligence Agency, and the material is reproduced here from the archive entry at archive.org. The document begins with its formal heading: DDB‑2680‑32‑84 Defense Intelligence Agency Handbook of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army November 1984. Information cutoff date: 1 August 1984. This publication supersedes the Handbook of the Chinese Armed Forces, 1976 (DDI‑2680‑32‑76). It is a Department of Defense intelligence document prepared under an inter‑agency agreement for the Eastern Division, Directorate for Research, Defense Intelligence Agency. Distribution Statement: this document has been produced for official use within the U S Government, and distribution is limited to U S Government agencies. Requests for this document from outside the U S Government must be referred to the Defense Intelligence Agency, Washington, D C 20301‑6111. The preface reads: “This handbook provides a summary of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army. Intended for use as an aid in unit training, the handbook should prove useful to the individual soldier, sailor, airman, and marine, as well as to unit commanders and staffs. The CPLA Handbook is a revised, updated version of the 1976 Handbook of the Chinese Armed Forces. The information and analysis contained herein are based on known Chinese practice and publications up to 1 August 1984. The effort to modernize and professionalize the CPLA, however, will foster future changes in the contents and conclusions of this handbook. Questions and comments concerning this publication should be referred in writing to the Defense Intelligence Agency (ATTN: DB‑2B), Washington, D C 20301‑6111. Requests for additional copies should be forwarded through command approval channels, as appropriate, to DIA (ATTN: RTS‑2A) using DD Form 1142, Interagency Document Request, in accordance with DIA Manual 59‑3, DIA Reference Library.” The table of contents follows, outlining the structure of the handbook: Chapter 1 – The Chinese People’s Liberation Army Section A — Introduction Section B — Historical Development Section C — Doctrine Section D — General Strategic and Tactical Principles Section E — National Command and Control Section F — Equipment Section G — Operational Concept Section H — Personnel Chapter 2 – Ground Forces Section A — Organization Section B — Command and Control Section C — Equipment Section D — Tactical Principles Section E — Maneuver Section…

Why was this case declassified?

This material entered the public record through the U.S. declassification and Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) process. The originating source document is linked on this page so the citation chain is auditable.

CIA: Defense Intelligence Agency Record Titled Handbook

◆ BLUF — The short version

This is a declassified Defense Intelligence Agency record titled Handbook of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army, dated November 1984. It is notable because it provides the United States government’s most comprehensive open‑source assessment of the People’s Liberation Army as of the mid‑1980s.

Date: AUG 2 · 2026
Release: Declassified · U.S. public record (FOIA)
Source document: View the primary source document

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What was CIA: Defense Intelligence Agency Record Titled Handbook about?: This is a declassified Defense Intelligence Agency record titled Handbook of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army, dated November 1984. It is notable because it provides the United States government’s most comprehensive open‑source assessment of the People’s Liberation Army as of the mid‑1980s.
Why was this case declassified?: This material entered the public record through the U.S. declassification and Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) process. Storyflo narrates it directly from the public release.

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