China releases old diplomatic files to public

The Chinese foreign ministry has declassified its diplomatic files from between 1956 and 1960 containing a total of 25,651 items.

The Chinese foreign ministry has declassified its diplomatic files from between 1956 and 1960 containing a total of 25,651 items.

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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.

People interested in the files, including Chinese citizens and organisations and anyone from overseas can read them with valid identity cards and documents in the Archives Bureau.

Lian Zhengbao, director of the Archives Bureau, said on Wednesday China declassified a batch of diplomatic files for the first time in January, 2004, and more such files are expected to be opened in future.