What did the declassified documents reveal?

China covert action program memorandum, October twenty‑four, nineteen seventy‑two, Central Intelligence Agency. This document outlines a shift in U.S. covert policy toward the People’s Republic of China as diplomatic relations began to thaw. The memorandum was released to the public through The Black Vault, which hosts the declassified text as a downloadable file. The record is identified in the archive as a CIA memorandum on China covert action, and the release is attributed to the agency’s routine declassification process. The document is available at archive dot org under the URL https://archive.org/download/us-china-intel-CI02007/CI02007djvu.txt. The document begins with a heading that reads: “Memorandum prepared for the Forty Committee, Washington, October twenty‑four, nineteen seventy‑two. Subject: China Covert Action Program.” It continues: “China, March—December nineteen seventy‑two. We very much need reply during course of Saturday, October twenty‑one, Washington time. Request you stress importance of tightest security on this matter, at least up to time of delivery of aircraft. FYI. In event subject comes up or you feel it would be useful, you may inform Prime Minister that United States is prepared to make transfer to the Republic of China of two anti‑submarine warfare configured diesel submarines and sixty M‑48 tanks which we have had under review. Also it may be necessary to request help of some Republic of China pilots to deliver aircraft. End FYI.” The memorandum then records a telegram from Taipei: “In telegram five two eighteen from Taipei, October twenty‑two, McConaughy reported that he informed Chiang Ching‑kuo at their October twenty‑one meeting that the United States was willing to transfer two anti‑submarine warfare submarines and sixty M‑48 tanks. (Ibid.)” The core of the memorandum states: “CIA has finally come up with a proposal for its China covert action program which accommodates the ‘new look’ in U‑S—Sino relations. It has been three years since the Forty Committee approved a program which included ‘black’ and ‘grey’ radio broadcasts from Taipei and Seoul, propaganda sent to the China mainland via balloons, media operations in Hong Kong and Tokyo, and activities worldwide to denigrate and obstruct the People’s Republic of China. Source: National Security Council, Nixon Intelligence Files, 303/Forty Committee Files, China. Secret; Eyes Only. Although no drafting information appears on the memorandum, Holdridge initialed his concurrence. Attached but not printed is a ten‑page CIA report to the Forty Committee, October ten, nineteen seventy‑two. A handwritten notation on the bottom of page one reads: ‘Telephonically approved by the Forty Committee on twenty‑six October nineteen seventy‑two.’” The memorandum then details a phase‑out of certain covert activities: “Broadcasts from the [redacted] facility were terminated in mid‑1972 as were two of the three ‘black’ radio legends broadcast from Taipei. With attention to…

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 China Covert Action Program Memorandum, October Twenty‑four, Nineteen

◆ BLUF — The short version

China covert action program memorandum, October twenty‑four, nineteen seventy‑two, Central Intelligence Agency. S. covert policy toward the People’s Republic of China as diplomatic relations began to thaw. The memorandum was released to the public through The Black Vault, which hosts the declassified text as a downloadable file.

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

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Episode notes

China covert action program memorandum, October twenty‑four, nineteen seventy‑two, Central Intelligence Agency. This document outlines a shift in U.S. covert policy toward the People’s Republic of China as diplomatic relations began to thaw. The memorandum was released to the public through The…

View the primary source document

Questions about this case

What was CIA China Covert Action Program Memorandum, October Twenty‑four, Nineteen about?: China covert action program memorandum, October twenty‑four, nineteen seventy‑two, Central Intelligence Agency. S. covert policy toward the People’s Republic of China as diplomatic relations began to thaw. The memorandum was released to the public through The Black Vault, which hosts the declassified text as a downloadable file.
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 China Covert Action Program Memorandum, October Twenty‑four, Nineteen

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