The Chinese Foreign Ministry on Wednesday declassified its diplomatic files from between 1956 and 1960 containing a total of 25,651 items.

 

The files contain records of China's major diplomatic events during the five-year period, including its forging diplomatic links with 14 Asian, African and Latin American countries, the former Soviet Union's withdrawal of its experts working in China and the Sino-US ambassadorial talks.

 

The files include recorded conversations, telegrams and documents signed by late Chinese leaders Mao Zedong and Zhou Enlai.

 

The Archives Bureau is open to the public during the week (expect Friday afternoon) from 8:00-11:30 AM and 1:00-4:30 PM. People interested in the files, including Chinese citizens and organizations and individuals and organizations from overseas can read the files with valid identity cards and documents.

 

China declassified a batch of diplomatic files for the first time in January, 2004, and more declassified files are expected to be opened in batches and by stages in the future, according to Lian Zhengbao, director of the Archives Bureau.

 

(Xinhua News Agency May 11, 2006)