THE BURMA-CHINA BOUNDARY

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP79-01009A000700010007-7
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 2
• Document Creation Date: November 16, 2016
• Document Release Date: November 8, 1999
• Sequence Number: 7
• Publication Date: November 5, 1953
• Content Type: MEMO

Approved For F (ease` 00/ '
TO : Project Review Cc ittee
Geographic Area, ORR
PRC 4 Chief, D/GG
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DOCUMENT NO.
NO CHANGE IN CLASS, ^
r1 DECLASSIFIED
CLASS. CHANGED TO: TS S
NEXT REVIEW DATE: ~~44
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AUTH ;0
DATEREVIEWER: 372044
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1. Subject of Proposed Project : The Burma-China Bound.
2. Statement of Project: To study this boundary- region. : os the s? .ndp irrt
of possible Chinese Cw runist physical and political penetration.
Outline: See attached.
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3- Need for Project: Request from- 2 Tic ember 1953, Case
4. Responsible Branch: Territorial Studies Res-pons ible Ana_(rs
Estimated Men-Sours Require: to Complete Project:
Producing Division: 300
6. ?Gr?aphi.cs or Maps: A map will. be requested frc i D/CC, details to be
discussed later.
25X1A
7. Cooperation Desired from Other CIA Offices and Other Agencies:
Possible revier of draft report by DRF, State.
8. Probable Completion Date: Open; deadline not set by but
project will have No.1 priority for
9. Probable Form of Final Publication: CIA
10. Iiecoam:nendation s Rsgaa43n Distribution of Finished Preliminary ditto copies to rec ,uester.
Approved by Project Review Comuittee:
!EC'RPp'" o
oved For Release 2000/0
mV 2 1953
Chief, D/GG ("I
Approved by AD/RR:
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RIP79-01009A000700010007-'25X1 A
 Approved For Releas00/0 I'1009A0700010 - `11 U
Outline: THE BURMA -CHINA BORDER
This is a tenative outline based upon a preliminary survey of source
materials for a proposed study of the Burma-China border. Frontier areas will
be. examined- from the geographic point of view, considering interrelations of
topography, border peoples, cultural and economic orientations as to their
affect upon Chinese Communist physical and political penetration of the border.
I. Physical Characteristics of the Border Area.
Treatment: The various physical elements -- terrain, hydrography, climate,
and vegetation -- will be described and evaluated as their effect upon trans-
border movements. Various sectors of the boundary will be analyzed as to the
difficulty or ease presented by the physical elements to Chinese penetration,
including the value of these sectors as avenues for possible future Communist
moves directed against Thailand and India.
U. Peoples of the Border Area.
Treatment: This section vill include brief descriptions of various ethnic
groups including population, general characteristics, economy, and contacts with
a,-.her groups with emphasis upon the cultural orientation of the border tribes,
particularly the strength of cultural ties if Chinese Communist political pressure
i?; increased. Ethnic groups probably to be discussed include: Kachin, Shan,
Ll -su, La-hu, Tibetans, Yunnan Tai, and lesser groups.
Economic Orientation of the Border Area.
Treatment: The economic orientation of the border areas and their degree of
dependence upon outside areas will be examined. The amount of trade, trading
routes, transportation facilities, types of trade, and resources of the border
area will be included.
IV. Political Factors and Forces.
Treatment: The current political situation will be suns rized including a
brief historical introduction. Emphasis will be laced upon the degree of control
exercised by the Burmese and Chinese in the frontier areas. The organization by
the Chinese Communists of so-called autonomous governments in minority-inhabited
areas will be scrutinized as to the success or lack of success in winning allegiance
of border tribes and to the possible application to minority groups of Burma.
Dissident activity against the Burmese Government including-the Chinese Nationalist
problem will be examined as to their bearing upon future actions by Red China and
Burma.
V. Boundary Claim of Burma and China.
Treatment: Sections of the boundary disputed and area involved, history of
the disputes, and validity of the respective claims will be studied. Sections of
the disputed boundary most likely to be utilized as an excuse for overt action by
the Chinese Communists will be examined. The present status of the boundary
including regulations concerning border crossings, security forces, boundary
markers, and frontier fortifications will be noted.
Approved For Release 2000/04/17 : q ,-RD,,79-010( VINNTM.