What did the declassified documents reveal?

Declassified. Today, we delve into a declassified C.I.A. record concerning intelligence on Chinese smuggling operations in the Taiwan Strait. This document, originating from June twenty-second, nineteen-fifty, details early U.S. concerns regarding illicit trade and potential security risks in the region. This document is available at The Black Vault, archived at archive.org. This memorandum was released through a Freedom of Information Act request, as part of a larger collection of U.S. intelligence on China. The declassification authority is not specified on the document itself, but it was made public by The Black Vault, an independent archive of declassified government documents. The document, titled "Formosa Smugglers Includes Follow-Up Memoranda Dated June twenty-third, nineteen-fifty and Attachments, Confidential, Memorandum, June twenty-second, nineteen-fifty," states: "Reference Radio No. eighty-two-seven-six-six, eight May fifty; State Department relay from Taipei. Information in these radios could have emanated from the same source. There is strong probability that the guerrilla unit mentioned in radio ninety-four-two-zero-one is a remnant unit or column of Nationalist guerrillas who were under command of Major General M.A.O. Sen prior to the evacuation of the Chushan Islands. This underground organization is believed partly composed of pirates and smugglers who have operated for years in that area, and will assist F.L.O.P. wherever they can receive the highest bidder, Nationalist or Communist. "According to information from Statusna Taipei, Reference Radio ninety-two-two-one-five, six June fifty, M.A.O. Sen indicated that the three Chinese junks which recently attempted to land on Japanese islands off Kyushu were probably some of his men under command of one of his staff officers. M.A.O. said they proposed to come to Kyushu to negotiate with sympathetic and business-minded Japanese fishing boat owners to borrow approximately thirty fishing craft, thirty to one-hundred-twenty tons. Negotiations were to be based on the Japanese furnishing boats to carry supplies to China and [four lines redacted under exemption B1] in exchange for fishing rights in those areas, with M.A.O. Sen's protection. It is believed that this report is probably based on fact in view of recent Navy reports of the extreme reluctance of the three junks, reluctant dragons, to proceed to Formosa and who wanted instead to land in Japan or Okinawa. These reports state that Chinese Nationalist personnel who had temporarily embarked claimed that their mission was to supply arms and [one line redacted under exemption B1] on the mainland." The memorandum continues: "On the basis of these reports, G.I. Division initiated investigation on two May fifty to determine if possible, one [one line redacted under exemption B1], two [one line redacted under exemption B1], three, the source of the alleged cache of arms and ammunition and the persons or firms responsible for procurement…

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-008Declassified

Filed NOV 10 · 2026Runtime 1 min

CIA Today, We Delve Into A Declassified CIA

U.S. public record · FOIAUpdated November 10, 2026

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◆ BLUF — The short version

Declassified. A. record concerning intelligence on Chinese smuggling operations in the Taiwan Strait. S. concerns regarding illicit trade and potential security risks in the region. org. S. intelligence on China. The declassification authority is not specified on the document itself, but it was made public by The Black Vault, an independent archive of declassified government documents.

Date: NOV 10 · 2026
Release: Declassified · U.S. public record (FOIA)
Source document: View the primary source document

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Declassified. Today, we delve into a declassified C.I.A. record concerning intelligence on Chinese smuggling operations in the Taiwan Strait. This document, originating from June twenty-second, nineteen-fifty, details early U.S. concerns regarding illicit trade and potential security risks in the…

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What was CIA Today, We Delve Into A Declassified CIA about?: Declassified. A. record concerning intelligence on Chinese smuggling operations in the Taiwan Strait. S. concerns regarding illicit trade and potential security risks in the region. org. S. intelligence on China. The declassification authority is not specified on the document itself, but it was made public by The Black Vault, an independent archive of declassified government documents.
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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