What did the declassified documents reveal?

You are listening to Declassified. This episode features a declassified Central Intelligence Agency record, a letter dated July twenty-ninth, nineteen-fifty, discussing reconnaissance flights near China. This document offers insight into early U.S. intelligence operations concerning Taiwan and mainland China. It can be found at documents2.theblackvault.com. This document was released by the Central Intelligence Agency under the Freedom of Information Act. It was declassified in full on September tenth, two-thousand-three. The declassification authority was the A-A-R-O, the Assassination Records Review Board. The document is a memorandum from the Secretary of Defense, Louis Johnson, to the Joint Chiefs of Staff, dated July twenty-ninth, nineteen-fifty. Subject: Photo Reconnaissance of Certain Portions of the China Coast. The memorandum begins: "I refer to your memorandum of twenty-eighth July nineteen-fifty concerning photographic reconnaissance of certain portions of the China coast. Representatives of the Department of State have indicated that that Department desires to impose no restrictions on such reconnaissance. Accordingly, you are authorized to direct the Commander-in-Chief, Far East, to conduct periodic reconnaissance flights over the coastal area of China, south of the thirty-second parallel of latitude, with a view to determining the readiness of any attack that may be launched against Formosa." The memo continues in a section with heavy redactions: "Based on the operational activities of the U.S. Seventh Fleet in Formosa and in the Taiwan area, it is considered vital that we obtain advance knowledge of Communist intentions to launch an attack against Formosa. Existing sources of information do not ensure that we will obtain the advance knowledge required to defeat such an attack. Intelligence indicates that sufficient build-up of forces now exists on the China coast for launching an attack. Estimates of Chinese Communist air strength indicate that adequate air support would be available for an attack. It is doubtful, however, that information of an imminent attack may be obtained, except through photographic reconnaissance. This situation has been the subject of discussion by representatives of the two Departments during the course of which Assistant Secretary Rusk has stated that the Department of State desires to impose no restrictions on such reconnaissance flights. Accordingly, I am authorizing the Joint Chiefs of Staff to direct the Commander-in-Chief, Far East, to conduct periodic photographic reconnaissance over the coastal area of China, south of the thirty-second parallel of latitude with a view to determining the readiness of any attack that may be launched against Formosa. I should appreciate your confirmation of my understanding of the Department of State's position in this matter." The Black Vault, which hosts this document, notes that this record reveals the U.S. was closely monitoring Communist Chinese military buildup…

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-005Declassified

Filed NOV 7 · 2026Runtime 1 min

CIA You Are Listening To Declassified.

U.S. public record · FOIAUpdated November 7, 2026

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◆ BLUF — The short version

You are listening to Declassified. This episode features a declassified Central Intelligence Agency record, a letter dated July twenty-ninth, nineteen-fifty, discussing reconnaissance flights near China. S. intelligence operations concerning Taiwan and mainland China. com. This document was released by the Central Intelligence Agency under the Freedom of Information Act.

Date: NOV 7 · 2026
Release: Declassified · U.S. public record (FOIA)
Source document: View the primary source document

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You are listening to Declassified. This episode features a declassified Central Intelligence Agency record, a letter dated July twenty-ninth, nineteen-fifty, discussing reconnaissance flights near China. This document offers insight into early U.S. intelligence operations concerning Taiwan and…

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What was CIA You Are Listening To Declassified. about?: You are listening to Declassified. This episode features a declassified Central Intelligence Agency record, a letter dated July twenty-ninth, nineteen-fifty, discussing reconnaissance flights near China. S. intelligence operations concerning Taiwan and mainland China. com. This document was released by the Central Intelligence Agency under the Freedom of Information Act.
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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