What did the declassified documents reveal?

This declassified cable, transmitted on February fifth, nineteen-fifty-nine, from the Department of State to the American Embassy in Taipei, outlines U.S. intelligence on China and Taiwan's military strategy during the Second Taiwan Strait Crisis. It details the Republic of China’s increasing emphasis on military activities. This document can be found at vault.fbi.gov. This record was released to the public under the Freedom of Information Act and is available through the Black Vault's archive, dated February fifth, nineteen-fifty-nine. The declassification authority is not specified on the document, but it clearly displays "Top Secret" markings and subsequent declassification. The document, titled "Taiwan's Military Strategy," is a cable from the Department of State to the American Embassy in Taipei. The subject is "Chicoms slash Chinats." It states: "The Department has noted various recent reports which, when taken together, indicate increased G-R-C emphasis on military rather than purely political activities. These include: Reported M-N-D order to Chinese Navy to commence four-point plan for mainland operations; reported interception of Chinese Communist shipping in offshore island area; Chiang Ching-kue to C-A-S." The cable continues: "We continue to believe it most important to secure Foreign Service and international support for U.S. and G-R-C position deriving from G-R-C accent on peaceful methods of waging anti-communist struggle and avoidance of provocative actions involving U.S. force. It is imperative that Chinese Communists continue to bear onus for hostilities in offshore island area." It then requests: "Embassy assessment significance listed items in light G-R-C intentions expressed in Joint Communique. Regarding one and four, request as much background info as may be available on such activities past three months." The Department of State has not issued a specific contextual statement regarding this particular cable. However, the document itself reflects the diplomatic tensions and strategic considerations of the United States regarding the Taiwan Strait during the Cold War, emphasizing the U.S. desire to portray the Republic of China as committed to peaceful methods while navigating the realities of their military preparations. This is what the public record looks like at its most ordinary. Find this document and more at storyflo.com, or directly at archive.org/download/us-china-intel-C-I-zero-one-three-three-seven/C-I-zero-one-three-three-sevendjvu.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.

FBI This Declassified Cable, Transmitted On February Fifth, Nineteen Fifty Nine

◆ BLUF — The short version

S. intelligence on China and Taiwan's military strategy during the Second Taiwan Strait Crisis. It details the Republic of China’s increasing emphasis on military activities. gov. This record was released to the public under the Freedom of Information Act and is available through the Black Vault's archive, dated February fifth, nineteen-fifty-nine.

Date: SEP 20 · 2026
Release: Declassified · U.S. public record (FOIA)
Source document: View the primary source document

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Episode notes

This declassified cable, transmitted on February fifth, nineteen-fifty-nine, from the Department of State to the American Embassy in Taipei, outlines U.S. intelligence on China and Taiwan's military strategy during the Second Taiwan Strait Crisis. It details the Republic of China’s increasing…

View the primary source document

Questions about this case

What was FBI This Declassified Cable, Transmitted On February Fifth, Nineteen Fifty Nine about?: S. intelligence on China and Taiwan's military strategy during the Second Taiwan Strait Crisis. It details the Republic of China’s increasing emphasis on military activities. gov. This record was released to the public under the Freedom of Information Act and is available through the Black Vault's archive, dated February fifth, nineteen-fifty-nine.
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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FBI This Declassified Cable, Transmitted On February Fifth, Nineteen Fifty Nine

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