CHINESE COMMUNIST MAIL CENSORSHIP POLICIES

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP80-00810A001400660001-3
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 2
• Document Creation Date: December 22, 2016
• Document Release Date: October 29, 2009
• Sequence Number: 1
• Publication Date: June 8, 1953
• Content Type: REPORT

Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2009/10/30: CIA-RDP80-0081 OA001400660001-3
CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE AGENCY
INFORMATION REPORT
SECRET
SECURITY INFORMATION
COUNTRY China
This Document contains information affecting the Na-
tional Defense of the United States, within the mean-
ing of Title 18, Sections 793 and 794, of the U.S. Code, as
amended. Its transmission or revelation of its contents
to or receipt by an unauthorized person is prohibited
by law. The reproduction of this form is prohibited.
SUBJECT Chinese Communist Mail Censorship DATE DISTR. 18 June 1953
Policies
NO. OF PAGES 2
REQUIREMENT NO. RD
REFERENCES
This is UNEVALUATED Information
THE SOURCE EVALUATIONS IN THIS REPORT ARE DEFINITIVE.
THE APPRAISAL OP CONTENT IS TENTATIVE.
(FOR KEY SEE REVERSE)
25X1
1. There has been no relaxia,g of censorship by the Chinese Communist
Government. Such censorship is performed l y special officers from the local
military administration commispionl, or in such localities where the
commission has no branches, personnel are employed directly from the local
Public Security Bureau. These officials normally have an office either in
the Post Office itself or in an adjacent building.
2. All letters are subject to spot checks. Correspondence mailed to or
from a foreign country; to or frcj6.areas considered dangerous to the
present regime, such as-Hong Kong and Macao; correspondence of specific
interest appearing on watch lists; and letters carrying no return address
are all opened and examined. Special efforts are taken so that no
indication of tampering is apparent. No marks or seals are used to show
censorship, and in.some of the major cities such ap Canton and Shanghai
where more technical equipment is available, violet-rays and other
special scientific devices are used. 'A record is kept of each letter
which has been opened; if there is any question relevant to its cpntents,
the letter is either copied or photographed. Letters with definite
suspicion attached to them are retained for further investigation even through
they may be airmailed or marked for other special delivery. An abnormal
time delay in itself would arouse suspicion of meddling.
3. In addition to this severe control of correspondence, there is a special
category of persons who must submit their letters to the Public Security
Bureau, unsealed, for certification before mailing. These persons include
all former officials of the Chinese' Nationalist Government, former Kuomin-
tang member.si and members of the Nationalist San Min Chu I (0005/3046/0031/5030)
Youth Corpse They must be prepared to answer, any questions regarding the
addressee of their letters, although in many instances these questions are
of an extremely personal and embarrassing nature. The relationship between
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Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2009/10/30: CIA-RDP80-0081 OA001400660001-3
 Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2009/10/30: CIA-RDP80-0081 OA001400660001-3
sender and receiver must be explained, and only after the contents have been
read and approved can the letters be forwarded. The same procedure is
carried out in connection with incoming letters to any persons in this
special category regardless of whether the letters have been previously
censored by the postal authorities.
Co ent.
repor on mail censorship in
China place the primary.~uthority for such censorship with the Postal
Administration Bureau and with Public Security offices on various levels;
Comment,
category of persons who were subject to special population controls in
China in December 1952. These persons were classified "nationals"
as distinct from the "people" and included former Nationalist government
and Kuomintang officials as well as former members of the San Min Chu I
Youth Corps.
Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2009/10/30: CIA-RDP80-0081 OA001400660001-3