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)
