Old files reveal diplomatic secrets ( 2004-01-19 23:23) (China Daily)
China has opened part of its diplomatic archives to the public, a move widely
regarded as a sign of progress to increase the country's diplomatic
transparency.
The first batch of diplomatic files declassified were mainly concerning
China's diplomacy between 1949 and 1955, said Lian Zhengbao, director-general of
the Archives of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The 4,545 documents opened to the public include telegraphs about the
establishment of diplomatic relations between China and the former Soviet Union,
along with other countries, and directives and speeches drafted by former
Premier Zhou, then the foreign minister. There are also documents about Geneva
and Asia-Africa conferences, and files and materials on consular, protocol and
legal affairs, Lian said.
Citizens and organizations interested in reading the files are required to
apply to the Archives some 20 work days in advance. Besides valid identification
cards, foreigners need to take forms approval from their embassy or consulate in
China.
Li Jiasong, former director-general of the Archives, said the
declassification of these documents is an indication of social progress and the
country expanding to the outside world.
"It is not easy to take the first step,'' Li said, adding that the
declassification process has taken the ministry years to prepare.
According to China's Archives Law and other relevant regulations, historical
files should be open to the public 30 years after they are made, but the
declassification of diplomatic files may be prolonged under approval of the
State Council.
If documents may impair the national interest, hamper China's relations with
other countries, endanger state security or involve personal secrets, then they
will not be opened to the public, Lian stated.
The archives is a base for permanent preservation of the diplomatic records
accumulated since the founding of the People's Republic of China in 1949. It has
accumulated 330,000 volumes or pieces of records, which are mostly in paper
form, with some microfilms, photos, audio and videotapes, compact discs and
material objects.
Qu Xing, deputy president of the Beijing Foreign Affairs College, said the
declassification will not only benefit academic research but help the public
understand more about the government's foreign policy.
"The research, based on more reliable sources, will offer more rational
suggestions to policy makers,'' Qu said.
Isogawa Tomoyoshi, China general bureau chief of Japan's Asahi Shimbun, was
one of the early foreign viewers of the declassified files.
"These files will reveal many behind-the-scene stories and help us form a
more complete understanding of the history,'' said Tomoyoshi.
"We all know that China and Japan stabilized relations in 1972. I learned
from these files that the effort actually started as early as 1954 when China
sent its Red Cross team to Japan,'' he said.
"The declassification also indicates that the Chinese
Government is increasing transparency,'' he added.
