What did the declassified documents reveal?

This is a declassified Central Intelligence Agency memorandum dated August twelfth, nineteen seventy‑three, detailing communications facilities associated with the Chinese Strategic Rocket Forces. It is notable because it provides a rare snapshot of U.S. intelligence assessments of Chinese missile‑related radio infrastructure during the Cold War, and it was released to the public through The Black Vault. The memorandum was made public in two thousand three, under the declassification authority of the Central Intelligence Agency. It appears in the agency’s release series identified as CIA‑RDP78‑04759‑A01030001009, and the full text is available on thearchive.org entry for this document. The memorandum reads as follows. “MEMORANDUM FOR: THROUGH TRS SUBJECT: Communications Facilities Associated with the Chinese Strategic Rocket Forces REQUIREMENT: WNSA/SPO/R‑22h‑73 (NPIC Project 251830) 1. In response to the referenced requirement, twelve areas in China were searched for high‑frequency communications facilities associated with the Chinese Strategic Rocket Forces. All areas were covered by fair‑to‑good photography dated from twenty‑five‑fourteen. Six possible CSRF communications facilities were identified in three of the search areas. A description of the facilities in each area follows. Hsi‑an Area. Two facilities were identified which may possibly serve the CSRF. These are the Hsi‑an Radio Communications Transmitter/Receiver No. 2 and the Kuo‑tu High‑Frequency Receiving Station. Transmitter/Receiver No. 2 was built in a control building and eleven horizontal dipole antennas (Attachments 1 and 1A). This facility was constructed at an existing instrument landing system facility at the Hsi‑an/Hsi‑kuan airfield. A twelfth horizontal dipole antenna at the facility is part of the ILS system. The receiving station consists of a control building and eight fishbone and four quadrant antennas (Attachments 2 and 2A). Both of these facilities appear capable of communicating with the correspondents listed in the requirement. Kun‑ming Area. Three facilities were identified which may possibly serve the CSRF: Kun‑ming Radio Communications Station No. 1, Kun‑ming Radio Communications Transmitter No. 10, and Kun‑ming Radio Communications Receiver No. 3. Kun‑ming Radio Communications Station No. 1 consists of two single rhombic, four horizontal dipole, and five quadrant antennas and a control building (Attachments 3 and 3A). Kun‑ming Radio Communications Transmitter No. 10 consists of two single rhombic, two quadrant, and sixteen horizontal dipole antennas and a control building (Attachments 4 and 4A). Cloud cover prevented observation of a probable further extension to the east. Repeater stations were identified at approximately five‑nautical‑mile intervals along the cable scar. Kun‑ming Radio Communications Receiver No. 3 is collocated with the Kun‑ming/Cheng‑kung SSM Headquarters. The receiver is in a separate, wall‑secured area in the southeastern corner of the…

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.

Central Intelligence Agency Memorandum Dated August Twelfth, Nineteen

◆ BLUF — The short version

This is a declassified Central Intelligence Agency memorandum dated August twelfth, nineteen seventy‑three, detailing communications facilities associated with the Chinese Strategic Rocket Forces. S. intelligence assessments of Chinese missile‑related radio infrastructure during the Cold War, and it was released to the public through The Black Vault.

Date: AUG 5 · 2026
Release: Declassified · U.S. public record (FOIA)
Source document: View the primary source document

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Episode notes

This is a declassified Central Intelligence Agency memorandum dated August twelfth, nineteen seventy‑three, detailing communications facilities associated with the Chinese Strategic Rocket Forces. It is notable because it provides a rare snapshot of U.S. intelligence assessments of Chinese…

View the primary source document

Questions about this case

What was Central Intelligence Agency Memorandum Dated August Twelfth, Nineteen about?: This is a declassified Central Intelligence Agency memorandum dated August twelfth, nineteen seventy‑three, detailing communications facilities associated with the Chinese Strategic Rocket Forces. S. intelligence assessments of Chinese missile‑related radio infrastructure during the Cold War, and it was released to the public 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.

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Central Intelligence Agency Memorandum Dated August Twelfth, Nineteen

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