What did the declassified documents reveal?

Alleged violations of People’s Republic of China airspace and alleged bombing of PRC fishing boats – a memorandum from the Department of Defense dated July sixteenth, nineteen seventy‑two. The document is notable because it records the United States’ official response to accusations made by the People’s Republic of China that U.S. aircraft entered Chinese airspace and attacked civilian vessels in the spring of nineteen seventy‑two. The record is hosted at the Black Vault archive. The memorandum was released to the public through the Black Vault website. The declassification was authorized under Executive Order one two nine fifty‑eight, as amended, and the material was uploaded as a digital text file on the Black Vault collection of declassified intelligence. No specific FOIA case number is attached to this release. The document reads as follows. “Secretary of Defense, Washington, D.C., July sixteen, nineteen seventy‑two. To: Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs. Subject: Alleged violations of PRC air space and alleged bombing of PRC fishing boats. You requested a report by July twelve, nineteen seventy‑two, on the alleged violation of PRC air space on July fifth, nineteen seventy‑two, and the alleged bombing of two PRC fishing boats on June twentieth, nineteen seventy‑two. The alleged incidents have been investigated by CINCPAC and the component commanders. As in previous cases, no evidence has been found so far to support either allegation. I have attached the report of the investigation submitted to me by the Acting Chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff. The restrictive measures that have been implemented to control air strikes in the vicinity of the PRC buffer zone will make it possible to reconstruct each flight operating near the buffer zone. In this way I expect to add to the credibility of any future investigations if additional protests are made by the PRC. More importantly, I expect these measures will eliminate future PRC complaints. If additional facts are established regarding these two incidents, you will be informed immediately. Attachment – FOR‑SECRET‑SENSITIVE – The Joint Chiefs of Staff, Washington, D.C., July twelve, nineteen seventy‑two. Memorandum for the Secretary of Defense. Subject: Alleged border violations and bombings. 1. Reference is made to: a. PRC allegations concerning the sinking of two fishing boats on June twentieth, nineteen seventy‑two and border violations and bombings on July fifth, nineteen seventy‑two. b. Your memorandum, subject “PRC Allegations,” dated July eleventh, nineteen seventy‑two, which expressed concern over the continued PRC allegations and the need for positive control over all air strikes in the vicinity of the PRC. 2. CINCPAC and component commanders have investigated the allegations and have found no evidence to support their validity. However, one aircraft was reported as being near but south of the PRC border on July fifth, nineteen seventy‑two. The pilot cleared the area…

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.

Case File · ARCHIVE-770Declassified

Filed AUG 6 · 2026Runtime 3 min

CIA Alleged Violations Of People’s Republic Of China Airspace And Alleged Bombing Of

U.S. public record · FOIAUpdated August 6, 2026

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◆ BLUF — The short version

Alleged violations of People’s Republic of China airspace and alleged bombing of PRC fishing boats – a memorandum from the Department of Defense dated July sixteenth, nineteen seventy‑two. S. aircraft entered Chinese airspace and attacked civilian vessels in the spring of nineteen seventy‑two.

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

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Alleged violations of People’s Republic of China airspace and alleged bombing of PRC fishing boats – a memorandum from the Department of Defense dated July sixteenth, nineteen seventy‑two. The document is notable because it records the United States’ official response to accusations made by the…

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What was CIA Alleged Violations Of People’s Republic Of China Airspace And Alleged Bombing Of about?: Alleged violations of People’s Republic of China airspace and alleged bombing of PRC fishing boats – a memorandum from the Department of Defense dated July sixteenth, nineteen seventy‑two. S. aircraft entered Chinese airspace and attacked civilian vessels in the spring of nineteen seventy‑two.
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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