China has declassified its first batch of diplomatic files since the founding of the People's Republic in 1949, the foreign ministry announced Monday.
Some 10,000 items have been opened to the public, mainly documenting Chinese diplomacy between 1949 and 1955, Zhang Sulin, an official with the ministry's archives was quoted as saying by the Xinhua news agency.
The documents deal with the formation of China's diplomatic relations, such as telegraphs on the establishment of ties with the former Soviet Union and Eastern European countries.
There are also directives and speeches drafted by former premier Zhou Enlai, then also foreign minister, and files and materials on consular, protocol and legal affairs.
According to China's Archives Law, historical files should be open to the public 30 years after formation, but there was no explanation cited as to why it has taken so long for this to happen.
"Archives should serve the state interests and the public," said Chinese Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing.
Anyone interested in viewing the material, including overseas organisations and individuals, must give the foreign ministry 20 working days notice, Zhang said.