What did the declassified documents reveal?

Joint Communique on the Establishment of Diplomatic Relations between the United States of America and the People’s Republic of China, January first, nineteen seventy‑nine. This declassified Central Intelligence Agency record records the formal agreement that ended decades of estrangement between the two nations. It is notable because it marks the official beginning of diplomatic relations and the United States’ recognition of the People’s Republic of China as the sole legal government of China. The document was released through a Freedom of Information Act request filed with the Central Intelligence Agency. The record was approved for release on May twenty‑fifth, two thousand six, under the authority of the CIA Director. The full text is available from The Black Vault archive, which hosts the scanned copy of the original file. The United States of America and the People’s Republic of China have agreed to recognize each other and to establish diplomatic relations as of January first, nineteen seventy‑nine. The United States of America recognizes the Government of the People’s Republic of China as the sole legal Government of China. Within this context, the people of the United States will maintain cultural, commercial, and other unofficial relations with the people of Taiwan. The United States of America and the People’s Republic of China reaffirm the principles agreed on by the two sides in the Shanghai Communique and state once again that both wish to reduce the danger of international military conflict. Neither side should seek hegemony in the Asia‑Pacific region or in any other region of the world, and each is opposed to efforts by any other country or group of countries to establish such hegemony. The Government of the United States of America acknowledges the Chinese position that there is but one China and that Taiwan is part of China. Both believe that normalization of Sino‑American relations is not only in the interest of the Chinese and American peoples but also contributes to the cause of peace in Asia and the world. The United States of America and the People’s Republic of China will exchange ambassadors and establish embassies on March first, nineteen seventy‑nine. As of January first, nineteen seventy‑nine, the United States of America recognizes the People’s Republic of China as the sole legal government of China. On the same date, the People’s Republic of China accords similar recognition to the United States of America. The United States thereby establishes diplomatic relations with the People’s Republic of China. On that same date, the United States will notify Taiwan that it is terminating diplomatic relations and that the Mutual Defense Treaty between the United States and the Republic of China is being terminated in accordance with the provisions of the treaty. The United States also states that it will withdraw its remaining military personnel from Taiwan within four months. In the future, the American people and the people…

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-854Declassified

Filed AUG 4 · 2026Runtime 3 min

CIA Joint Communique On The Establishment Of Diplomatic Relations Between The

U.S. public record · FOIAUpdated August 4, 2026

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Joint Communique on the Establishment of Diplomatic Relations between the United States of America and the People’s Republic of China, January first, nineteen seventy‑nine. This declassified Central Intelligence Agency record records the formal agreement that ended decades of estrangement between the two nations.

Date: AUG 4 · 2026
Release: Declassified · U.S. public record (FOIA)
Source document: View the primary source document

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What was CIA Joint Communique On The Establishment Of Diplomatic Relations Between The about?: Joint Communique on the Establishment of Diplomatic Relations between the United States of America and the People’s Republic of China, January first, nineteen seventy‑nine. This declassified Central Intelligence Agency record records the formal agreement that ended decades of estrangement between the two nations.
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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