What did the declassified documents reveal?

Today's episode of Declassified features a Central Intelligence Agency memorandum, dated February fourth, nineteen-sixty-three, concerning the review of nuclear energy targets in China. This document offers a glimpse into early American intelligence efforts to monitor the People's Republic of China's nascent nuclear program. You can find this declassified record at documents2.theblackvault.com. This document was released by the Central Intelligence Agency under the Freedom of Information Act. It was declassified on October twenty-second, two-thousand-three, by an authorized declassification authority. The document is an example of routine intelligence analysis and reporting during the Cold War era. The document reads: MEMORANDUM FOR: Director of Central Intelligence. SUBJECT: Review of Nuclear Energy Targets in China. One. In response to your instruction, C-O-M-O-R has examined what targets in Communist China might be associated with nuclear energy activities over and above those which are already being programmed for U-2 coverage in the forecast of I-D-E-A-L-I-S-T / T-A-C-K-L-E overflight activities for February. Two. C-O-M-O-R has recommended that the approved T-A-C-K-L-E flights should be so planned that they cover, insofar as possible and without detriment to the priority targets, the other targets noted on the attached map. C-O-M-O-R does not believe these are sufficiently suspect of nuclear association to warrant missions designed with them as the primary targets. The additional targets are, on the basis on available information and research, those targets which are even marginally nuclear energy associated. The attachments are explanatory of the selection of targets. Three. We presently have underway a research project which will take the form of a map showing useable coverage of China by U-2 and satellite since January nineteen-sixty-two. Meanwhile, selected search areas continue to be programmed for satellite coverage. C-O-M-O-R will continue to examine all newly acquired photography [one line redacted] collateral in order to recommend new targets [two lines redacted]. The document then notes distribution copies to the D-D-C-I, Intel/O-S-A, and S-A/D-D-R, and indicates that the next five pages are exempt. This memorandum reflects the Central Intelligence Agency's ongoing assessment of the People's Republic of China's nuclear program in the early nineteen-sixties. The term C-O-M-O-R refers to the Committee on Overhead Reconnaissance, responsible for coordinating U.S. reconnaissance efforts. The U-2 program, mentioned in the document, was a high-altitude reconnaissance aircraft used extensively during the Cold War for intelligence gathering. The "attachments" referenced, including a map of targets, are not included in this declassified version of the document. This is what the public record looks like at its most ordinary. Find this document and more at storyflo.com, and by searching for "CI01551" on documents2.theblackvault.com.

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.

Today's Episode Of Declassified Features A Central Intelligence Agency

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Today's episode of Declassified features a Central Intelligence Agency memorandum, dated February fourth, nineteen-sixty-three, concerning the review of nuclear energy targets in China. This document offers a glimpse into early American intelligence efforts to monitor the People's Republic of China's nascent nuclear program.

Date: SEP 9 · 2026
Release: Declassified · U.S. public record (FOIA)
Source document: View the primary source document

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What was Today's Episode Of Declassified Features A Central Intelligence Agency about?: Today's episode of Declassified features a Central Intelligence Agency memorandum, dated February fourth, nineteen-sixty-three, concerning the review of nuclear energy targets in China. This document offers a glimpse into early American intelligence efforts to monitor the People's Republic of China's nascent nuclear program.
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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