What did the declassified documents reveal?

Mao’s “Cultural Revolution,” June 1968 – a declassified Central Intelligence Agency intelligence report examining the purge of the People’s Liberation Army and the ascent of Madame Mao. This document is notable because it provides a contemporaneous U.S. analysis of internal Chinese power struggles during the height of the Cultural Revolution, and it was released to the public in the mid‑2000s. The report was declassified under the Freedom of Information Act in May two thousand seven. The release was authorized by the Director of Central Intelligence, and the full text is available through the Black Vault archive at archive dot org slash download slash us‑china‑intel‑CI01870 slash CI01870djvu dot txt. The report begins with a statement of purpose. It reads: “Approved for release date: May two thousand seven. Intelligence Report BO one two nine five eight, classified under section three point three, paragraph one, twenty‑five years, executive order one two nine five eight, section six point two, paragraph c. Directorate of Intelligence. Mao’s ‘Cultural Revolution’ – III, the purge of the P‑L‑A, and the stardom of Madame Mao. This staff study is one of a series growing out of continuing S‑R‑S surveillance of the China scene. The first of this particular series, ‘Mao’s Cultural Revolution: Its Leadership, Its Strategy, Its Instruments, and Its Casualties’ (February 1967), concluded that the Cultural Revolution was primarily a purge, carried out with special instruments. The second, ‘The P‑L‑A and the Cultural Revolution’ (October 1967), concentrated on Mao’s use of the P‑L‑A as an instrument of the revolution and on his reorganization of the P‑L‑A itself to make it reliable in that role. The present study traces the story to June 1968. It finds Mao to be still the central and dominant figure, but it devotes special attention to the way in which Mao’s treatment of the P‑L‑A has seemed to work against his ends by provoking resentment among those upon whom his position directly depends, by narrowing his base of support to fanatics and opportunists, and by putting his own position in danger. These trends are highlighted by the activities and status of Madame Mao, who has become one of the principal leaders and has played the starring role in purging the P‑L‑A. This study, like its predecessors in the series, is not a coordinated paper; it is a result of the research and analysis of a single staff analyst. Comments are invited. John Kerry King, Chief, D‑D‑I Special Research Staff.” The report then presents a detailed table of contents, followed by a substantive summary and conclusions: “The People’s Liberation Army, meaning the armed forces as a whole, has been both an instrument and an object of the Cultural Revolution in China. As an instrument, it has been used to protect Mao against his enemies, to protect and support the militant mass forces of the revolution, and to keep them within limits, and to govern China until a new party apparatus can be…

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 Mao’s “cultural Revolution,” June 1968 – A Declassified Central Intelligence

◆ BLUF — The short version

Mao’s “Cultural Revolution,” June 1968 – a declassified Central Intelligence Agency intelligence report examining the purge of the People’s Liberation Army and the ascent of Madame Mao. S. analysis of internal Chinese power struggles during the height of the Cultural Revolution, and it was released to the public in the mid‑2000s.

Date: AUG 8 · 2026
Release: Declassified · U.S. public record (FOIA)
Source document: View the primary source document

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Mao’s “Cultural Revolution,” June 1968 – a declassified Central Intelligence Agency intelligence report examining the purge of the People’s Liberation Army and the ascent of Madame Mao. This document is notable because it provides a contemporaneous U.S. analysis of internal Chinese power struggles…

View the primary source document

Questions about this case

What was CIA Mao’s “cultural Revolution,” June 1968 – A Declassified Central Intelligence about?: Mao’s “Cultural Revolution,” June 1968 – a declassified Central Intelligence Agency intelligence report examining the purge of the People’s Liberation Army and the ascent of Madame Mao. S. analysis of internal Chinese power struggles during the height of the Cultural Revolution, and it was released to the public in the mid‑2000s.
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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CIA Mao’s “cultural Revolution,” June 1968 – A Declassified Central Intelligence

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