What did the declassified documents reveal?

This is Declassified. Today, a declassified C-I-A intelligence briefing from approximately nineteen-fifty-seven, concerning naval vessel construction in Communist China. It details the types of vessels, their volume, and the facilities supporting their production. This document is available on documents2.theblackvault.com. This document was approved for release on August eighth, two-thousand-three, under the authority of the National Security Agency. Its declassification was completed following an N-S-A review. I would like to present the current situation as we know it regarding naval vessel construction in Communist China. This will deal with types under construction, volume, and the facilities for constructing these vessels, and China's capability for producing components. It does not discuss the role of the junk. The apparent decision to construct modern Soviet-model naval vessels in Communist China has changed the status-quo of naval strength in the Far East. This decision has resulted in delivery to the fleet of submarines, escort vessels, and smaller vessel types. These deliveries have significantly increased the strength of Chinese Communist naval forces. Communist China has not had the industrial base to carry out this naval construction program by itself. Because of this fact, it has been necessary for the U-S-S-R to provide considerable amounts of technical assistance and material support. While the magnitude of this assistance is not known, it is believed to include the construction of shipbuilding facilities, the supply of components, the supply of technical personnel, and ship subassemblies, as well as training of skilled technicians. In order to fully appreciate the results obtained by Communist China in naval ship construction, it is necessary to understand the role played by the U-S-S-R. The decision to undertake construction of Soviet model naval vessels of necessity had to occur considerably in advance of actual construction of the vessels because of the lack of shipbuilding facilities to support the construction program. The U-S-S-R evidently supported much of the facility development that did take place, including [four lines redacted under exemption B1], the Wuchang Shipyard, and the installation at Kiangnan Shipyard. The Chinese now possess modern facilities designed for Soviet-type mass production techniques for the construction of submarines and for destroyer-types. When the actual construction began, the U-S-S-R had a group of high caliber shipbuilding specialists in China to supervise, while at the same time Soviet industry was engaged in producing the necessary components and subassemblies. The indications are that initially most of the materials necessary were supplied by the U-S-S-R. This situation may be changed somewhat since it is possible that Chinese industry can now supply some of the material requirements. There are a few indications that the U-S-S-R is engaged in reducing Chinese dependence upon the U-S-S-R…

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-391Declassified

Filed SEP 23 · 2026Runtime 1 min

NSA Today, A Declassified C I A Intelligence Briefing From Approximately

U.S. public record · FOIAUpdated September 23, 2026

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◆ BLUF — The short version

This is Declassified. Today, a declassified C-I-A intelligence briefing from approximately nineteen-fifty-seven, concerning naval vessel construction in Communist China. It details the types of vessels, their volume, and the facilities supporting their production. com. This document was approved for release on August eighth, two-thousand-three, under the authority of the National Security Agency.

Date: SEP 23 · 2026
Release: Declassified · U.S. public record (FOIA)
Source document: View the primary source document

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What was NSA Today, A Declassified C I A Intelligence Briefing From Approximately about?: This is Declassified. Today, a declassified C-I-A intelligence briefing from approximately nineteen-fifty-seven, concerning naval vessel construction in Communist China. It details the types of vessels, their volume, and the facilities supporting their production. com. This document was approved for release on August eighth, two-thousand-three, under the authority of the National Security Agency.
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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