What did the declassified documents reveal?

This is a declassified Central Intelligence Agency record concerning reported Chinese Communist plans for an attack on Taiwan, dated July thirteenth, nineteen fifty. The memorandum is notable because it provides an early U.S. intelligence assessment of potential amphibious and airborne operations against the island. The document was made publicly available through The Black Vault, which posted the full text on its website after a Freedom of Information Act request. The release date is listed as the date of posting on the archive, and the declassification authority is the Central Intelligence Agency, which approved the material for public dissemination. The memorandum reads as follows. GENERAL HEADQUARTERS, FAR EAST COMMAND – © Militar daehetics vee pieces Stat ae’ guly 1960 SUBJECT: “Plans for chinese Communist Attack on Taiwan” MEMO TO: Chief of’ start 1. an radio AG 06415, dated 12. Jul 50, from Saigon, Fic (Tab 1) reporting Chinese Communist plans for tas Taiwan around 15 Jul in con ae a Junction with mpriees: on the island. 1. G2 Comment ¢: Be Seuaaiet 2. “are: Sudioatad a aia. re‑shuffle of Third Field Army units in Fukien and Chekiang Provinces; however, the most significant movement of troops has been in the Kwangtung area, where units of the Fourth Field Army are reportedly moving north and east from Canton to Henkow and Gwatou. Identification of a unit of the Second Field Army, which has been garrisoning Southwest China in Canton, indicates the possibility that the Fourth Field Army is being exercised in South for action against Taiwan or movement to Manchuria. 3. Although this is the first report received concerning aircraft with special equipment for airborne operations, it has become common knowledge that airfields in the Shanghai and Canton areas have undergone extensive construction and repair as a result of Soviet advice and supervision. The Communists reportedly have about twenty‑two operational former United States transport aircraft, and they have probably acquired additional transport aircraft from the USSR. Unconfirmed reports have indicated Communist airborne training in Manchuria, with strength ranging from one battalion to two regiments. 4. Without active Soviet participation, it is considered doubtful whether the Chinese Communists, at present, possess the capability of launching a major airborne invasion of Taiwan; however, a small‑scale airborne operation could be carried out to create internal disorder, disrupt communications, and cause general confusion among Nationalist troops on Taiwan. 5. Now that Nationalist air activity over the China mainland has ceased, the Communists could conceivably assemble air‑lift and airborne troops in Shanghai and Seaton while being detected. Although the combined strength of the Third and Fourth Field Armies, which have been assigned the mission of capturing Taiwan, exceeds one million troops, current estimates of Communist seagoing vessels indicate that their maximum capacity would…

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-010Declassified

Filed NOV 9 · 2026Runtime 1 min

Central Intelligence Agency Record Concerning Reported Chinese Communist Plans

U.S. public record · FOIAUpdated November 9, 2026

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◆ BLUF — The short version

This is a declassified Central Intelligence Agency record concerning reported Chinese Communist plans for an attack on Taiwan, dated July thirteenth, nineteen fifty. S. intelligence assessment of potential amphibious and airborne operations against the island. The document was made publicly available through The Black Vault, which posted the full text on its website after a Freedom of Information Act request.

Date: NOV 9 · 2026
Release: Declassified · U.S. public record (FOIA)
Source document: View the primary source document

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This is a declassified Central Intelligence Agency record concerning reported Chinese Communist plans for an attack on Taiwan, dated July thirteenth, nineteen fifty. The memorandum is notable because it provides an early U.S. intelligence assessment of potential amphibious and airborne operations…

View the primary source document

Questions about this case

What was Central Intelligence Agency Record Concerning Reported Chinese Communist Plans about?: This is a declassified Central Intelligence Agency record concerning reported Chinese Communist plans for an attack on Taiwan, dated July thirteenth, nineteen fifty. S. intelligence assessment of potential amphibious and airborne operations against the island. The document was made publicly available through The Black Vault, which posted the full text on its website after a Freedom of Information Act request.
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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