What did the declassified documents reveal?

From the C-I-A, this is a declassified record concerning the state of Sino-Soviet relations at the new year, dated January seventh, nineteen sixty-three. This document offers insight into the escalating ideological rift between two major communist powers during the Cold War. You can find this document at documents2.theblackvault.com. This document was released by the Central Intelligence Agency in May, two thousand seven, under the automatic declassification provisions of Executive Order one two nine five eight, as amended. The declassification authority was the C-I-A Directorate of Operations. The document, titled "The State of Sino-Soviet Relations at the New Year," begins: "This is a working paper; an early publication of our semi-annual report on the state of the Sino-Soviet dispute. The paper discusses developments since late August (the date of our last report). We reaffirm in this paper our belief that, sooner or later, an open break between the Soviet and Chinese parties is probable; we make no estimate on the timing of the break. The D-D-slash-I Research Staff would welcome comment on the paper, addressed to Harry Gelman, the principal analyst, or to the Chief or Deputy Chief of the Research Staff." The summary section states: "Beginning in late August, there was a visible increase in the rate of deterioration in the Sino-Soviet relationship, mainly as a result of Chinese initiatives. The Chinese began to allude to a break with Khrushchev as inevitable; moved against Soviet consulates and White Russian holders of Soviet passports in China; renewed lobbying among pro-Soviet parties in Western Europe; took further steps with their own supporters; renewed vigorous opposition to Moscow in the world front organizations; coordinated with Albania a public attack on Yugoslavia and Khrushchev's revisionist positions; convened a central committee plenum at which a decision to prepare for a break may have been taken; called home an unprecedented number of ambassadors for lengthy consultations; and resumed anti-Khrushchev discussions throughout China. Through September and most of October, the Soviet party continued to show restraint. By the last week of October, the Soviet party felt obliged to strike back publicly, but Moscow apparently had not decided how hard a line to take toward the Chinese in the European party congresses in November. The Chinese helped them to decide, by attacking Khrushchev in strong terms for his backdown in Cuba and for his failure to support Peiping in its border war with India. In the party congresses in November and early December, there was a striking escalation of the Soviet-organized attacks on the Chinese. By early December, Eastern and Western European Communist leaders (but not the Soviets) were vigorously attacking the Chinese party by name. The Chinese protested these attacks, placing the responsibility on (but not naming) the Soviet party and Khrushchev. A few days later, Khrushchev in a major speech…

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 From The C I A, This Is A Declassified Record Concerning The State

◆ BLUF — The short version

From the C-I-A, this is a declassified record concerning the state of Sino-Soviet relations at the new year, dated January seventh, nineteen sixty-three. This document offers insight into the escalating ideological rift between two major communist powers during the Cold War.

Date: SEP 10 · 2026
Release: Declassified · U.S. public record (FOIA)
Source document: View the primary source document

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What was CIA From The C I A, This Is A Declassified Record Concerning The State about?: From the C-I-A, this is a declassified record concerning the state of Sino-Soviet relations at the new year, dated January seventh, nineteen sixty-three. This document offers insight into the escalating ideological rift between two major communist powers 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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