What did the declassified documents reveal?

Peking's Attitude Toward the Threat of U‑S Attack, Central Intelligence Agency, March eighth, nineteen‑sixty‑six. This declassified intelligence memorandum is notable because it offers a contemporaneous assessment of how the Chinese leadership framed the possibility of American military action during the height of the Vietnam conflict. The document was released to the public through The Black Vault, uploaded from a Freedom of Information Act request. The Central Intelligence Agency authorized its declassification, and the full text is available at the archive link provided by The Black Vault. The memorandum opens with a summary. It reads: “Peking appears to be engaged in a deterrent psychological warfare campaign. This is expressed in its recent propaganda concerning Chinese readiness to repel a U‑S assault, in private statements of concern over the possibility of imminent U‑S attack, and, to some extent, in current illuminations about ‘imperialist encirclement.’ By portraying themselves as ‘encircled,’ fearful of attack, but ready to fight a bitter‑end war in self‑defense, the Chinese probably hope to stimulate additional political pressure—within the United Nations and among American allies—against what they describe as ‘rash’ U‑S escalation which might cause a militarization by apprehensive men in Peking. In emphasizing that China will respond militarily only if directly attacked by the United States, the Chinese may be attempting to establish ground rules which, if the United States adhered to them, would, over the longer term, prevent a war with the United States. The evidence available at this time does not support a conclusion that Chinese anxiety concerning a U‑S attack has increased significantly during the past few months. In fact, examination of domestic propaganda and the pace of civil‑defense preparations in China suggests that Peking was equally or more concerned over this possibility in the spring and during the summer of the current year. Thus far no redeployment of Chinese military strength has been detected of the kind which might be expected if Peking actually regarded an invasion as likely in the near future. While their actions belie their protestations that they expect an early attack by the United States, the Chinese leaders, as orthodox Marxist‑Leninists, probably do believe that war with the United States is ‘inevitable’ in a long historical sense. We do not believe, however, that this will make them fatalistic or lead them, any more than it did Lenin or Stalin, to undertake provocative acts or to take actions more risky than those they would have taken without this belief. There has not been, for example, any indication of a change in Chinese policy regarding support for the Communist war effort in Vietnam—toward either a more cautious line or a more adventurous course. Peking continues to provide military assistance and political backing for North Vietnam, aimed at keeping Communist forces steadfast and in the field…

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.

Peking's Attitude Toward The Threat Of U‑s Attack, Central Intelligence Agency

◆ BLUF — The short version

Peking's Attitude Toward the Threat of U‑S Attack, Central Intelligence Agency, March eighth, nineteen‑sixty‑six. This declassified intelligence memorandum is notable because it offers a contemporaneous assessment of how the Chinese leadership framed the possibility of American military action during the height of the Vietnam conflict.

Date: AUG 17 · 2026
Release: Declassified · U.S. public record (FOIA)
Source document: View the primary source document

↯ Dispatch — press play1:00

0:001:00

↯ Share

X in r/

Episode notes

View the primary source document

Questions about this case

What was Peking's Attitude Toward The Threat Of U‑s Attack, Central Intelligence Agency about?: Peking's Attitude Toward the Threat of U‑S Attack, Central Intelligence Agency, March eighth, nineteen‑sixty‑six. This declassified intelligence memorandum is notable because it offers a contemporaneous assessment of how the Chinese leadership framed the possibility of American military action during the height of the Vietnam conflict.
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.

intelligence-vault

Related cases

✉ Dispatches

A short dispatch when a new file is released — narrated, answer-first, and linked straight to the primary source. No spam; unsubscribe anytime.

↯ Subscribe to the feed

RSS feed Browse all cases

Peking's Attitude Toward The Threat Of U‑s Attack, Central Intelligence Agency

Questions about this case

Related cases

Political Problems In Communist China – A Central Intelligence Agency

Central Intelligence Agency Record Concerning Chinese Involvement

Central Intelligence Agency Intelligence Report On Meng‑tzu Airfield, West

Central Intelligence Agency Memorandum Concerning The Use Of A P‑3 Aircraft

Resume Of Mission C216c – U.s.

Questions about this case

Related cases

Political Problems In Communist China – A Central Intelligence Agency

Central Intelligence Agency Record Concerning Chinese Involvement

Central Intelligence Agency Intelligence Report On Meng‑tzu Airfield, West

Central Intelligence Agency Memorandum Concerning The Use Of A P‑3 Aircraft

Resume Of Mission C216c – U.s.

Get the next declassified case in your inbox