What did the declassified documents reveal?

This episode presents a declassified Central Intelligence Agency memorandum concerning Chinese military installations, supplement number two, dated September fifth, nineteen fifty‑eight. The record is notable for its detailed reconnaissance of facilities in the Canton region, the Tung‑Chiang Valley and the Swatow area, and for the precise coordinates and building counts it provides. The document was released to the public through The Black Vault. The release date is September fourteenth, two thousand, and the declassification authority is the Central Intelligence Agency under its standard declassification review process. The original archival entry can be found at the Black Vault URL for this file. The memorandum opens with a top‑secret cover sheet. It reads: “TOP SECRET – APPROVED FOR RELEASE. FOR RELEASE TO THE INTELLIGENCE COMMUNITY ONLY. THIS DOCUMENT CONTAINS INFORMATION AFFECTING THE NATIONAL DEFENSE OF THE UNITED STATES. THE MEANING OF THE INFORMATION IS HANDLED BY TITLE EIGHTEEN OF THE UNITED STATES CODE, CONTROL CHANNELS SECTIONS SEVEN NINETY‑THREE AND SEVEN NINETY‑FOUR. REVELATION OF THIS INFORMATION TO AN UNAUTHORIZED PERSON IS PROHIBITED BY LAW.” The cover sheet continues: “CLASSIFIED: TOP SECRET. APPROVED FOR RELEASE SEPTEMBER FOURTEEN, TWO THOUSAND. CIA‑RDP‑89‑B‑00551‑R‑000900‑120021‑6. ODE‑6017. SUPPLEMENT NO. 2. PAR‑371‑58. DATE OF INFORMATION: AUGUST TWENTY, NINETEEN‑FIFTY‑EIGHT. PAGE ONE OF SIX.” The body of the supplement states: “This supplement provides additional information on military installations in the following areas: Canton, Tung‑Chiang Valley, and Swatow. In addition, other military installations of interest in selected areas covered by photography are reported.” Canton area - “Canton: Military installation consisting of four hundred buildings, of which two hundred fifty appear to be barracks, buildings and containing fifteen possible vehicles, coordinates twenty‑three degrees north, one hundred thirteen degrees sixteen minutes east.” - “Liang‑Duing‑Esu: Military installation, possibly artillery type unit, consisting of twenty‑six buildings, containing twenty‑five trucks and one artillery piece, coordinates twenty‑three degrees north, one hundred thirteen degrees sixteen minutes east.” - “Pei‑Chien: Military installation consisting of fourteen barracks, coordinates twenty‑three degrees north, one hundred thirteen degrees six minutes east.” - “Nan‑Tat: Military installation consisting of seven barracks, coordinates twenty‑three degrees north, one hundred thirteen degrees six minutes east.” - “Ping‑Kang: Military installation, possibly artillery type unit, consisting of four barracks, coordinates twenty‑three degrees north, one hundred thirteen degrees six minutes east.” - “Nan‑Hat: Military installation, possibly garrison type unit, consisting of thirteen vehicles, coordinates twenty‑three degrees north, one hundred thirteen degrees six minutes east.” - “Canton City: Military installation, possibly garrison type…

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.

Central Intelligence Agency Memorandum Concerning Chinese Military

◆ BLUF — The short version

This episode presents a declassified Central Intelligence Agency memorandum concerning Chinese military installations, supplement number two, dated September fifth, nineteen fifty‑eight. The record is notable for its detailed reconnaissance of facilities in the Canton region, the Tung‑Chiang Valley and the Swatow area, and for the precise coordinates and building counts it provides.

Date: SEP 21 · 2026
Release: Declassified · U.S. public record (FOIA)
Source document: View the primary source document

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What was Central Intelligence Agency Memorandum Concerning Chinese Military about?: This episode presents a declassified Central Intelligence Agency memorandum concerning Chinese military installations, supplement number two, dated September fifth, nineteen fifty‑eight. The record is notable for its detailed reconnaissance of facilities in the Canton region, the Tung‑Chiang Valley and the Swatow area, and for the precise coordinates and building counts it provides.
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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Central Intelligence Agency Memorandum Concerning Chinese Military

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