nevertheless they do provide ad hoc communication and business links when
necessary.
There have been strong indications that Triads are being politically accepted by the Chinese government, statements of Dom Chow Peng and more recently a Chinese minister described Triads as warriors and patriots who will be welcomed by the Chinese Government. All this tends to create confidence for the Hong Kong people in their future with China.
CHINESE CRIMES
Whilst no crime is particularly excluded from the Chinese menu, the following are actively pursued:
Drugs
Hong Kong Triads are mainly active as brokers for the Golden Triangle plying drugs between Thailand, Japan, USA and the Phillipines. Very little drugs are believed to be dealt with between Hong Kong and UK. Since 30.11.91 only 1.6% of drug finance disclosed in Hong Kong was linked with the UK.
Forgery
The art of forgery has been long known to Chinese who specialise in credit cards and the counterfeiting of clothing, watches and other consummables. This is considered a serious problem for the Hong Kong government who view the subject as discreditable and a poor reflection upon Hong Kong. This form of counterfeiting can expect to increase with trade into China.
Smuggling
Much of the smuggling into China is Triad linked. Currently they are specialising in smuggling high value stolen cars on powerful speedboats from Hong Kong to mainland China. Regrettably this smuggling has involved the collusion of some
customs officers.
Protection and Extortion
Protection and extortion takes place in clubs, casinos, restaurants also extortion at building sites and the film industry including videos with threats to disrupt supplies if sums of money are not paid. Enforcement is by way of assaults (choppings).
Corruption
Corruption is to be found particularly at senior company staff levels also people in authority including police, passport agencies, immigration and customs.
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