What did the declassified documents reveal?

This episode of Declassified presents a declassified Central Intelligence Agency record, a memorandum detailing U.S. policy toward the Chinese Communists and concrete measures, dated September first, nineteen-forty-nine. This document is available on the Black Vault at documents2.theblackvault.com. This document was released under the Freedom of Information Act by the Central Intelligence Agency on September first, nineteen-forty-nine. It is part of a larger collection of U.S. intelligence on China. The document opens by stating: "Since there had been very thorough discussion of the aspects of our relations with the Chinese Communists, it might be worthwhile to set down a series of suggested steps which might represent a synthesis of objectives among the various views of this problem. It is pointed out that these suggested steps are on the assumption that (one) no further overt aid other than that already authorized is to go to Nationalist China (possibly excepting Formosa) and (two) no effective alternative to the Communist regime is to exist at the present time. United States Consulates should be maintained in China as long as permitted by the Communist authorities and as long as the position of our representatives there remains tolerable. Our representatives should endeavor to maintain contact with the Communist authorities and to reiterate to them whenever the occasion offers that (a) our dealings with them must be of a very limited character until they demonstrate their willingness to follow the normal rules of international behavior, particularly in the matter of their treatment of our official representatives, nationals, property and other interests in China, (b) our propaganda will continue to be hostile to them as long as they attempt to poison the minds of the Chinese people against us, (c) we will, however, be willing to deal with them on a strictly quid pro quo basis whenever they demonstrate that they will observe the rules of international conduct and that they are prepared to deal on terms mutually advantageous to both parties. We should not take the initiative in raising the question of recognition but, if the Communists do, should reply that we will not consider the matter until they have given the concrete demonstrations indicated in the preceding sentence. We should make clear that evidences of intention on their part to engage in any sort of aggression, direct or indirect, against any of China’s neighbors would not only bring about a suspension of our dealings with them but also prompt us to appeal to the U.N. If our representatives are compelled to withdraw from Peking, we should make clear to the Communist authorities, and if possible to the Chinese people, that this is their initiative not ours. We should not encourage United States citizens to evacuate unless their continued presence tends to strengthen the hold of the Communists over the minds of the people, or unless United States businessmen to evacuate unless there…

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.

Case File · ARCHIVE-006Declassified

Filed NOV 15 · 2026Runtime 1 min

CIA This Episode Of Declassified Presents A Declassified Central Intelligence

U.S. public record · FOIAUpdated November 15, 2026

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◆ BLUF — The short version

S. policy toward the Chinese Communists and concrete measures, dated September first, nineteen-forty-nine. com. This document was released under the Freedom of Information Act by the Central Intelligence Agency on September first, nineteen-forty-nine. S. intelligence on China.

Date: NOV 15 · 2026
Release: Declassified · U.S. public record (FOIA)
Source document: View the primary source document

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Episode notes

This episode of Declassified presents a declassified Central Intelligence Agency record, a memorandum detailing U.S. policy toward the Chinese Communists and concrete measures, dated September first, nineteen-forty-nine. This document is available on the Black Vault at documents2.theblackvault.com…

View the primary source document

Questions about this case

What was CIA This Episode Of Declassified Presents A Declassified Central Intelligence about?: S. policy toward the Chinese Communists and concrete measures, dated September first, nineteen-forty-nine. com. This document was released under the Freedom of Information Act by the Central Intelligence Agency on September first, nineteen-forty-nine. S. intelligence on China.
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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