A ceremony was held Monday to declassify the diplomatic documents dating from 1949 to 1955, many of which were first open to the public, the foreign ministry source said.

 

The archives, namely Archives of the Establishment of China's Diplomatic Relations 1949-1955, consist of credentials, notes, pictures and relevant documents from 1949 to 1955 in the process of the establishment of diplomatic ties between China and 26 countries.

 

It also covers autographies of the late Chinese leaders of the older generation such as Mao Zedong, Zhou Enlai and Liu Shaoqi. Pictures that depicted negotiations of diplomatic ties and the exchanges of mutual diplomats are also included.

 

Addressing the launching ceremony, Assistant Foreign Minister Li Hui said the publicity of the diplomatic files is an important part of the transparency of the government affairs.

 

He hopes these first-hand materials can help the public from home and abroad better understand China's diplomacy.

 

Some old ambassadors who personally took part in the process of establishment of diplomatic links were present at the launching ceremony.

 

(Xinhua News Agency January 24, 2006)