What did the declassified documents reveal?

This declassified Central Intelligence Agency record from March twenty-third, nineteen-fifty-five, assesses China's petroleum consumption and supply. This briefing to the National Security Council is available from The Black Vault, at documents2.theblackvault.com. This document was approved for release in two-thousand-one, on September first, under a Central Intelligence Agency declassification authority. It provides insights into the strategic concerns of the United States intelligence community regarding China's energy security during the Cold War. The document, titled "CHICOM OIL," states: "CHICOM OIL I. Chicom's use one point five million tons P-O-L annually, get over two-thirds of it from Soviet Bloc (this true in both 'fifty-three and 'fifty-four)." "China itself produces less than one-third of its annual petroleum consumption. This pattern likely to change with completion Trans-Mongolian railroad (via Ulan Bator to Tsining). New line, with annual capacity of some two million tons each way, will cut the haul across Siberia to China proper by about six hundred eighty miles." "If necessary, new line could carry considerably more than whole amount of Bloc P-O-L now reaching China both by land and by water. Line will also open up new Mongolian oil field (Sain Shanda) for exports to China. Mongolian railroad is expected to be handling through traffic 'before the year (nineteen-fifty-five) is out.' In view of past rate of progress, line may well be open for at least partial traffic by May 'fifty-five." "Use of tanker deliveries to China in 'fifty-four is attributable both to expansion of Soviet tanker fleet and to relative cheapness ocean transport." "[four lines redacted under exemption B1]" The document continues: "IV. TOP SECRET. A. [six lines redacted under exemption B1] ally have controlling interest in CHIPOLBROK (joint chartering organization that operates vessels in China trade). B. However, no firm evidence on this point. C. Has also been suggested that, since Poles lost PRACA to ChiNats, almost lost KARPATY, they cooling in enthusiasm for China trade. With the exception of the ARUBA, Western tankers have not engaged in the China trade in recent months. The high charter rate the ChiComs were willing to pay for the ARUBA, however, when taken with other indications, suggests a current demand for P-O-L in South China." "[four lines redacted under exemption B1]" "A. Until recently, the ChiComs have shown no interest in procuring P-O-L from the Hong Kong - Macao area for some twenty-four years." "[seven lines redacted under exemption B1]" The Central Intelligence Agency has not issued a public contextual statement regarding this specific document. This is what the public record looks like at its most ordinary. Find more at storyflo.com and the canonical U-R-L for this document: archive.org/download/us-china-intel-CI01193/CI01193djvu.txt.

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.

This Declassified Central Intelligence Agency Record From March Twenty Third

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This declassified Central Intelligence Agency record from March twenty-third, nineteen-fifty-five, assesses China's petroleum consumption and supply. com. This document was approved for release in two-thousand-one, on September first, under a Central Intelligence Agency declassification authority. It provides insights into the strategic concerns of the United States intelligence community regarding China's energy security during the Cold War.

Date: SEP 26 · 2026
Release: Declassified · U.S. public record (FOIA)
Source document: View the primary source document

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This declassified Central Intelligence Agency record from March twenty-third, nineteen-fifty-five, assesses China's petroleum consumption and supply. This briefing to the National Security Council is available from The Black Vault, at documents2.theblackvault.com. This document was approved for…

View the primary source document

Questions about this case

What was This Declassified Central Intelligence Agency Record From March Twenty Third about?: This declassified Central Intelligence Agency record from March twenty-third, nineteen-fifty-five, assesses China's petroleum consumption and supply. com. This document was approved for release in two-thousand-one, on September first, under a Central Intelligence Agency declassification authority. It provides insights into the strategic concerns of the United States intelligence community regarding China's energy security during the Cold War.
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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This Declassified Central Intelligence Agency Record From March Twenty Third

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