What did the declassified documents reveal?

What we are hearing is a declassified Central Intelligence Agency memorandum titled “What the Chinese Communists are up to in Black Africa,” dated March twenty‑third, nineteen‑seventy‑one. The assessment is notable for being one of the earliest systematic U.S. intelligence analyses of Beijing’s political and military outreach across Sub‑Saharan Africa. This document was released to the public through The Black Vault website. The memorandum was declassified under Executive Order one two nine five eight, as amended April twenty‑first, two thousand five, and made available in a digitized text file that can be accessed at archive dot org slash download slash us‑china‑intel‑CI01977 slash CI01977djvu.txt. The memorandum opens with a heading from the Office of National Estimates, Central Intelligence Agency, and reads: Memorandum Subject: What the Chinese Communists are up to in Black Africa Date: March twenty‑third, nineteen‑seventy‑one Note: This memorandum has been undertaken because the subject has not been given a comprehensive intelligence analysis in recent years and because open literature on Peking’s activities in Africa has often tended to exaggerate Chinese capabilities and to portray its intentions in overly ominous tones. We attempt here to provide a balanced assessment and to lay out some parameters for the future. This memorandum was prepared by the Office of National Estimates and coordinated within the Central Intelligence Agency. Chinese Policy Objectives 1. After several years of neglect, Peking is showing a renewed interest in Black Africa. The Chinese are again offering aid, bidding for diplomatic recognition, and throwing lavish receptions for visiting African delegations. The current initiative suggests that China’s leaders attach considerable importance to their relations with Sub‑Saharan Africa—if not for its intrinsic worth, then as a place where easy points can be made in pursuit of larger objectives lying outside Africa. 2. One purpose of Chinese activity in Africa has been to affirm the regime’s revolutionary image at home and abroad. In Black Africa, Peking’s call for revolutionary struggle against colonialism and imperialism could be made credible with direct action: the arming and training of national liberation groups, support to those new regimes deemed truly revolutionary, and aid to political dissidents in “reactionary” Black African states. This radical and uncompromising program distinguished Peking’s policy toward revolution from the more moderate “revisionist” line taken by Moscow. 3. Closely related to China’s revolutionary self‑image is its use of Black Africa as a safe and fruitful ground on which to arouse hostility toward the United States and the Soviet Union. Peking has consistently sought to identify these two powers as Africa’s main enemies, together conspiring to prevent the total liberation of Africa. Chinese African friends are urged to shake off their imperialist fetters, repulse American and Soviet…

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 What We Are Hearing Is A Declassified Central Intelligence Agency Memorandum

◆ BLUF — The short version

What we are hearing is a declassified Central Intelligence Agency memorandum titled “What the Chinese Communists are up to in Black Africa,” dated March twenty‑third, nineteen‑seventy‑one. S. intelligence analyses of Beijing’s political and military outreach across Sub‑Saharan Africa. This document was released to the public through The Black Vault website.

Date: AUG 6 · 2026
Release: Declassified · U.S. public record (FOIA)
Source document: View the primary source document

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Episode notes

What we are hearing is a declassified Central Intelligence Agency memorandum titled “What the Chinese Communists are up to in Black Africa,” dated March twenty‑third, nineteen‑seventy‑one. The assessment is notable for being one of the earliest systematic U.S. intelligence analyses of Beijing’s…

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Questions about this case

What was CIA What We Are Hearing Is A Declassified Central Intelligence Agency Memorandum about?: What we are hearing is a declassified Central Intelligence Agency memorandum titled “What the Chinese Communists are up to in Black Africa,” dated March twenty‑third, nineteen‑seventy‑one. S. intelligence analyses of Beijing’s political and military outreach across Sub‑Saharan Africa. This document was released to the public through The Black Vault website.
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 What We Are Hearing Is A Declassified Central Intelligence Agency Memorandum

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