What did the declassified documents reveal?

COLD OPEN: This is a declassified CIA record from August 1968, detailing the establishment of a strategic missile force by the Chinese Communist Party, also known as CHICOMs. The document is a one-page intelligence summary, cataloged as CI01883. It was released through The Black Vault. PROVENANCE: The document was declassified and made available through The Black Vault, an online archive of declassified documents. The canonical PDF can be found at archive.org. THE DOCUMENT: (b)(1) (b)(1) STRATEGIC MISSILE FORCE ESTABLISHED BY CHICOMS OMMUNIST China has created a new arm of the People's Liberation Army (PLA), namely, the 2d Artillery Force, apparently to direct the deployment and operation of strategic missiles. This force reportedly is on the same level as the air and naval branches of the PLA. Lieutenant General Li Tien Huan and possibly Major General Wau Lieh are associated with the 2d Artillery. The Chinese Communists are believed to have under development a medium-range ballistic missile (MERBM) which could become operational in 1969. During 1967, 29 probable MRBM firings were detected. The rate of launchings suggests that the CHICOMs may be in the troop-training phase of their strategic missile program. CONTEXT: According to The Black Vault, this document is part of a larger collection of declassified CIA records on China's military capabilities. OUTRO: This is what the public record looks like at its most ordinary. The story of China's strategic missile force, as recorded by the CIA in 1968, is now part of the public domain. You can find the full document at storyflo.com, along with the canonical URL at archive.org.

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 Record From August 1968, Detailing The Establishment Of A Strategic Missile

◆ BLUF — The short version

COLD OPEN: This is a declassified CIA record from August 1968, detailing the establishment of a strategic missile force by the Chinese Communist Party, also known as CHICOMs. The document is a one-page intelligence summary, cataloged as CI01883. It was released through The Black Vault.

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

↯ Dispatch — press play2:10

0:002:10

↯ Share

X in r/

Episode notes

View the primary source document

Questions about this case

What was CIA Record From August 1968, Detailing The Establishment Of A Strategic Missile about?: COLD OPEN: This is a declassified CIA record from August 1968, detailing the establishment of a strategic missile force by the Chinese Communist Party, also known as CHICOMs. The document is a one-page intelligence summary, cataloged as CI01883. It was released through The Black Vault.
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

CIA Record From August 1968, Detailing The Establishment Of A Strategic Missile

Questions about this case

Related cases

Declassified Presents A Central Intelligence Agency Memorandum, Dated February

Army Record Concerning The Continued Operation Of An Army Security Agency

CIA From Declassified, A Storyflo Podcast.

Today, A Declassified Central Intelligence Agency Record, A Top Secret Cable

Today, We Examine A Declassified Central Intelligence Agency Record From August

Questions about this case

Related cases

Declassified Presents A Central Intelligence Agency Memorandum, Dated February

Army Record Concerning The Continued Operation Of An Army Security Agency

CIA From Declassified, A Storyflo Podcast.

Today, A Declassified Central Intelligence Agency Record, A Top Secret Cable

Today, We Examine A Declassified Central Intelligence Agency Record From August

Get the next declassified case in your inbox