What did the declassified documents reveal?

This is Declassified. Today, a declassified Central Intelligence Agency record from December seventh, nineteen fifty-one, detailing proposals for a Chinese "Third Force" during the Cold War. This document provides a rare glimpse into early U.S. intelligence considerations regarding post-revolutionary China. You can find this record on archive.org, under the Black Vault entry for US Intelligence on China, reference CI-zero-zero-eight-three-seven. This intelligence memorandum was released to the public under the Freedom of Information Act, via a declassification review by the National Archives and Records Administration, A-A-R-O, on April fourteenth, nineteen ninety-seven. It represents a typical declassified record from the early years of the Central Intelligence Agency's operations. The document begins: "To: Mr. Barrett. From: Mr. Allison. Subject: Attached Proposals for a Chinese 'Third Force'." Dated December seventh, nineteen fifty-one. "F-E has looked over the attached material respecting proposals for a Chinese 'Third Force,' as requested in your memorandum of November sixth, nineteen fifty-one, and would offer the following general comments: One. The overt support of any Chinese 'Third Force' group would, in our view, be inconsistent with existing diplomatic relations with the Chinese National Government and with United States policy directed toward strengthening that regime. Two. F-E concurs that greater use might be made of Chinese both in this country and overseas in the U-S-I-E activities. Our purpose in this respect would be to increase the effectiveness of U-S-I-E programs, and not primarily to create employment for idle Chinese. Three. In F-E's view, the most promising opportunity for Chinese in the United States and in Hong Kong to contribute their abilities to opposition to Communist domination of China lies in their participation in the Chinese National Government. In general, the United States should encourage realization of this, both on the part of the concerned Chinese and the National Government. The aforementioned observations tend to emphasize, in F-E's view, the fact that U-S-I-E activities at present offer the only practical overt means for utilizing the talents of Chinese currently residing in the United States. We are nevertheless in agreement with the general proposition that the problem warrants serious consideration and study." The attachment, titled "Proposals for Chinese 'Third Force,'" states: "Regarding the 'Third Force' in the Far East, these groups have neither organization, program, nor money, except for what financial support some of our people may be giving them. It is unlikely that we shall see any sudden or drastic emergence of a 'Third Force' fully equipped and ready to go with strong leadership, organization, and ideology, or the zeal that goes into making up a successful revolutionary movement. However, viewing the 'Third Force' prospects over a five or ten-year period, as Mr. Rankin is now viewing…

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.

Today, A Declassified Central Intelligence Agency Record From December Seventh

◆ BLUF — The short version

This is Declassified. Today, a declassified Central Intelligence Agency record from December seventh, nineteen fifty-one, detailing proposals for a Chinese "Third Force" during the Cold War. S. intelligence considerations regarding post-revolutionary China. org, under the Black Vault entry for US Intelligence on China, reference CI-zero-zero-eight-three-seven.

Date: OCT 16 · 2026
Release: Declassified · U.S. public record (FOIA)
Source document: View the primary source document

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This is Declassified. Today, a declassified Central Intelligence Agency record from December seventh, nineteen fifty-one, detailing proposals for a Chinese "Third Force" during the Cold War. This document provides a rare glimpse into early U.S. intelligence considerations regarding…

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What was Today, A Declassified Central Intelligence Agency Record From December Seventh about?: This is Declassified. Today, a declassified Central Intelligence Agency record from December seventh, nineteen fifty-one, detailing proposals for a Chinese "Third Force" during the Cold War. S. intelligence considerations regarding post-revolutionary China. org, under the Black Vault entry for US Intelligence on China, reference CI-zero-zero-eight-three-seven.
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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Today, A Declassified Central Intelligence Agency Record From December Seventh

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