What did the declassified documents reveal?

From the Declassified archives, this is a daily intelligence briefing on China, from the Central Intelligence Agency, dated December seventh, nineteen-fifty. This document reveals U.S. intelligence assessments of Chinese Communist views on the Korean War and the perceived inevitability of a third world war, accessible from the C-I-A Reading Room and the Black Vault. This document was declassified by the C-I-A, and rereleased under the Freedom of Information Act. Its declassification authority is cited as A-C-S-I, Lieutenant Picco. The document was originally marked Top Secret and then regraded. The document begins: Daily Intelligence Briefing – Far East – China. Top Secret, Control. U.S. Officials Only. A source in East Germany states that on December fifth, a secret coded telegram was received by the East German Foreign Ministry from Pondhoe Koenig, East Germany’s Ambassador to Communist China. Koenig reportedly stated that Chinese Communist Foreign Minister Chow En-lai, in a confidential conference on December fifth, expressed his Government’s views relative to the Korean situation as follows: There are only two possible ways of preventing another world war: namely, the evacuation of Korea by the United Nations forces, or evacuation by the Chinese forces. Since, at present, neither side is willing to leave Korea, the third world war is inevitable. Communist China has, therefore, made herself ready for the third world war. A report from Hong Kong cites information from a Nationalist military official, who ostensibly received his information from a Chinese Communist who attended a meeting on November twelfth. The meeting was called by the secretary of the Chinese Communist Party’s South China subbureau upon receipt of a November tenth policy order from Peiping. At the meeting, Asiatic policy clarification included the point that the Chinese Communist Government considers a world war inevitable. It also was reportedly declared that: One. The Chinese must prepare for winter warfare because the Soviets prefer it since they are the best equipped. Two. A [four lines redacted under exemption B1] supply system is to be established. Three. Chinese Communist supply lines to Korea must be protected, and local militia forces organized throughout China. Five. Allied Communist troops in Indo-China, Thailand, Burma, and the Philippines must be mobilized and aided by the Chinese Communists. Six. The Chinese Communists must prepare for an attack on the mainland from Taiwan and attack with the atom bomb. And Seven. Chinese Communist objectives in Korea are to: a. Drive the United Nations troops out of Asia. b. Obtain military bases in Korea. And c. Enable continuance of the Soviet Naval base at Naji [one line redacted under exemption B1] coast just south of the Soviet border. The document includes a comment section, stating: The frequently reported defensive preparations being taken by the Chinese Communists point to Communist fear of attack and preparation for…

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-012Declassified

Filed OCT 28 · 2026Runtime 1 min

CIA From The Declassified Archives, This Is A Daily Intelligence Briefing On China

U.S. public record · FOIAUpdated October 28, 2026

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◆ BLUF — The short version

From the Declassified archives, this is a daily intelligence briefing on China, from the Central Intelligence Agency, dated December seventh, nineteen-fifty. S. intelligence assessments of Chinese Communist views on the Korean War and the perceived inevitability of a third world war, accessible from the C-I-A Reading Room and the Black Vault.

Date: OCT 28 · 2026
Release: Declassified · U.S. public record (FOIA)
Source document: View the primary source document

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From the Declassified archives, this is a daily intelligence briefing on China, from the Central Intelligence Agency, dated December seventh, nineteen-fifty. This document reveals U.S. intelligence assessments of Chinese Communist views on the Korean War and the perceived inevitability of a third…

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What was CIA From The Declassified Archives, This Is A Daily Intelligence Briefing On China about?: From the Declassified archives, this is a daily intelligence briefing on China, from the Central Intelligence Agency, dated December seventh, nineteen-fifty. S. intelligence assessments of Chinese Communist views on the Korean War and the perceived inevitability of a third world war, accessible from the C-I-A Reading Room and the Black Vault.
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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CIA From The Declassified Archives, This Is A Daily Intelligence Briefing On China

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