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9.
The communist press has tended to concentrate on exploiting
social and economic grievances, both real and alleged, but there is little
indication that it has obtained any increased support for the communists
from the population. While the attacks on Government do not have the
virulence which prevailed during the more violent phases of confrontation,
they are still very strong and at times, clearly in breach of the law.
Although the circulation of the communist newspapers has, of late, shown
some slight signs of resuscitation this is attributed more to the inclusion
of items of popular appeal such as racing tips than to the political content ·
of the newspapers. Other communist propaganda organisations remain in a
sorry state of disarray; despite attempts to reorganise communist publishing
and film companies by the amalgamation of unprofitable concerns, business
remains at a very low level.
Attempts are currently being made to recover
overseas markets which were lost last year while the local concerns
concentrated on the struggle in Hong Kong.
However it will be a long time
before they reach even the pre-confrontation level of business. In communist
commercial and banking circles the emphasis is even more on the restoration
of business in an effort to satisfy China's need for foreign exchange.
While many of the companies have made up some of the ground they lost last
year their recovery is a slow process. The communist commercial and banking
enterprises do not appear to be getting their share of the boom conditions
currently sweeping the Colony's economy.
10.
fields of endeavour.
In the field of United Front Work, the communists have met with
little more success than that which has crowned their efforts in other
Assistance to victims of storms and floods, both
physical and financial, has been provided in a number of instances in an
attempt to highlight Government's alleged lack of concern for these people.
In some cases a short lived propaganda advantage has been gained but in most
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