What did the declassified documents reveal?

This declassified C-I-A record, dated May twenty-third, nineteen-fifty-three, details a critical military intelligence exchange between the United States and the Republic of China concerning Communist China. The document is available at documents2.theblackvault.com. This record was released through the Freedom of Information Act and declassified by the C-I-A's historical review program. It sheds light on intelligence sharing during the Cold War. The document is a memorandum from the Commander in Chief, Pacific to the Minister of National Defense, National Government Republic of China, attention Major General Lai, Director, Office of G-2. The subject is "Military Intelligence with N-G-R-C; exchange of." Paragraph one states: "Authorization for the Commander in Chief Pacific to exchange intelligence information pertaining to Communist China with the National Government Republic of China has been received from the Joint Intelligence Committee of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Such intelligence exchange will be on a quid pro quo basis and must be pertinent to the C-I-N-C-F-A-C responsibility for the defense of Formosa and the Pescadores." Paragraph two, "Commander in Chief Pacific recommendations for initial items for exchange of intelligence are as follows:" "A. Deployment of Chinese Communist Air Forces capable of air strikes against Formosa and Nationalist-held islands." "B. Status of Chinese Communist airfields within aircraft range of Formosa." "C. Organization, training, and number of Chinese Communist paratroop units." "D. Chinese Communist transport aircraft available for troop lifts." "E. Strength and disposition of Chinese Communist naval forces." "F. Strength and disposition of Chinese Communist ground forces deployed in areas where they could be used in an attack against Formosa and/or Nationalist-held islands." Paragraph three reads: "Commander in Chief Pacific is appreciative for the copies of Chinese Nationalist air reconnaissance photographs received to date. It is expected that an agreement will eventually be evolved whereby C-I-N-C-F-A-C will exchange U.S. photos, when available, which contain intelligence on the items listed in paragraph two above." The document concludes with a recommendation in paragraph four: "It is recommended that all items of intelligence be exchanged through the U.S. Naval Attaché and Naval Attaché for Air - Taipei or such other representative as C-I-N-C-F-A-C may designate." It is signed by B. F. Layton, Assistant Chief of Staff for Intelligence. This is what the public record looks like at its most ordinary. Find this document and more at storyflo.com, C-I-zero-one-zero-zero-zero.

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.

CIA This Declassified C I A Record, Dated May Twenty Third, Nineteen Fifty Three

◆ BLUF — The short version

This declassified C-I-A record, dated May twenty-third, nineteen-fifty-three, details a critical military intelligence exchange between the United States and the Republic of China concerning Communist China. com. This record was released through the Freedom of Information Act and declassified by the C-I-A's historical review program.

Date: OCT 6 · 2026
Release: Declassified · U.S. public record (FOIA)
Source document: View the primary source document

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This declassified C-I-A record, dated May twenty-third, nineteen-fifty-three, details a critical military intelligence exchange between the United States and the Republic of China concerning Communist China. The document is available at documents2.theblackvault.com. This record was released through…

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What was CIA This Declassified C I A Record, Dated May Twenty Third, Nineteen Fifty Three about?: This declassified C-I-A record, dated May twenty-third, nineteen-fifty-three, details a critical military intelligence exchange between the United States and the Republic of China concerning Communist China. com. This record was released through the Freedom of Information Act and declassified by the C-I-A's historical review program.
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 This Declassified C I A Record, Dated May Twenty Third, Nineteen Fifty Three

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