The Triads as Business (Routledge Studies in the Modern History of Asia)

There is no doubt that the triads have become recognized as a sophisticated and international criminal force and, following the handover of Hong Kong to China, there have been increasing fears that their influence will spread to the West through emigration. This book investigates the reality behind the myth with a study of the Hong Kong triads, generally regarded as the headquarters of triad societies throughout the world. Yiu Kong Chu examines their origins, their organized extortion from legitimate businesses large and small, and their more recent moves into illegal activities such as drug trafficking, human smuggling and gambling. Contrary to the popular belief that Hong Kong triads are replacing the Italian Mafia as the most powerful criminal organization in the world, this book argues that Hong Kong triads may be declining, as other ethnic Chinese crime gangs emerge as powerful crime groups in Western societies. Based on interviews with ex triad members and victims of the triads, police from Hong Kong, mainland China and Europe, as well as documentary evidence The Triads as Business gives a vivid and compelling picture of the triads as part of a wider society. There is no doubt that the Triads are an international menace. The very word conjures up images of intrigue, mystery, brutality and violence and following the handover of Hong Kong to China there have been increasing fears that the influence of the Triad societies will spread through emigration. This book investigates the reality behind the myth. Yiu Kong Chu here looks at the Hong Kong Triads, generally regarded as the headquarters of triad societies throughout the world. He describes their origins, their involvement in legitimate businesses from the entertainment and construction industries to street hawking and the wholesale fish markets of Hong Kong and finally their part in illegal activities around drugs, gambling and human smuggling. Based on interviews with ex triad members and victims of the Triads as well as with police from Hong Kong, mainland China and Europe, as well as on documentary evidence Triads as Business: A Brief Introduction gives a vivid and compelling picture of the Triads as part of a wider society. Based on interviews with ex members and triad victims, police from Hong Kong, mainland China and Europe, and documentary evidence, The Triads as Business gives a compelling picture of the triads as part of a wider society Pt. 1. The Triads -- Pt. 2. Legal Markets -- Pt. 3. Illegal Markets -- Pt. 4. International Markets -- Pt. 5. Implications And Reflections. Yiu Kong Chu. Includes Bibliographical References (p. [155]-161) And Index. It is claimed that triad members existed among the indigenous inhabitants of Hong Kong Island even before the British ceded it to be their colony in 1842.