Chinese Triads
Since the dawn of Chinese history there have been various groups of bandits that have formed secret organizations, frequently referred to as Triads. They have been an integral part of Chinese culture and society. Sometimes they have worked with the government; most times they have worked against it. The term "triad" was first used "by British authorities in Hong Kong as a reference to the triangular shape of the Chinese character for 'secret society.'" (Bolz 147) These modern day secret societies are changing the face of organized crime, as the American knows it. No longer is it the days of La Cosa Nostra, otherwise known as the Italian mafia. Now it is the epoch of the Sun Yee On and various other Triad groups.
“Today there are approximately 60 million Chinese living outside China. Excepting those Africans whose ancestors were slaves, or willing migrants, they are the largest single expatriate minority nationality on earth.” (Booth 3) A large portion of these migrants have relocated themselves to the United States of America, but no matter what location these migrants have placed themselves in, Triad societies have inevitably followed.
The Chinese people, who have relocated to various foreign countries, by and large, keep to themselves. They strongly maintain their national and cultural identity. Those persons from a particular province or town tend to feel they have a bond with others they meet from the same area, i.e., Fujian province, even though they may have never have met before their migration to a foreign country. An indication of the introverted Chinese society is the creation of the many Chinatowns of the U.S. and not their integration into society.
"The United States contains the sixth largest Chinese population in the world and the largest population of Chinese outside of Asia. Approximately one quarter of all Asian Americans are Chinese, totaling about 1,650,000 people. The Chinese population in the United States, both legal and illegal, has increased greatly within the last decade... his is particularly notable in view of the fact that the average Chinese citizen's income in China is only about $500 per year..."(US Hearings 327)
The stalwart Confucian upbringing of these peoples has taught them that they must watch their backs, and their brothers’. Associations were created using this system, creating a security net for all those involved. These “security nets” rapidly evolved into something much more. (Booth 4) The Triads are linked by language and lineage. This makes them hard to penetrate because the lack of current law enforcement which speaks various Chinese dialects. Under the pretense of humanitarian organizations, they became fronts for more seedy objectives. These “self-interest fraternities sprang up based upon clan, family or place of origin.” (Booth 13) Even today modern triad or tong societies have a ‘humanitarian’ motto, which they live by. In donating thousands of dollars they support the poor and elderly, run hospitals, schools and orphanages, in addition to their illegal exploits.
The first secret society in China that has been recorded was in 9 A.D. The society called itself Chi Mei (Red Eyebrows). They referred to themselves as the Red Eyebrows because of their practice of painting their eyebrows red in order to seem fiercer to their opponents, because "demons had red eyelids.” (Booth 4) As they wreaked havoc for the reigning Han dynasties, an army was sent to destroy them. “The bandits [were] thrown into confusion by a wily general, Feng Yi, who ordered his troops to paint their eyebrows red, too. In the chaos, the outlaws were annihilated.” (Booth 4)
Modern Triad societies claim decadency from the secret societies that were developed in the Zhou dynasty, which ruled from 1027 to 221 B.C. “They are historically, if distantly, descended from those secret associations and groups which fit into the long tradition of self-preservation through unity and patriotism…” (Booth 4)
Most of the Triad sects today can only trace their actual creation to the eighteenth or nineteenth centuries during last dynasty of China, the Qing, which existed from 1644-1911. (Schirokauer 226) To the native Han Chinese of China it was an aristocracy of suppressing foreigners. The Qing dynasty was set up by the Manchu people from the north of China, and the native Han peoples were decidedly taken advantage of and suppressed. The invading Manchu forces, which created the Qing dynasty, had taken advantage of the decrepit Ming dynasty that was busy fighting its own secret societies that plagued it. With the Ming weakened from within by rebellions and underground societies, the Qing conquered the current ruling family of the Ming and set up a new dynasty.
Under the second emperor of the Qing, Kang Hsi, secret societies, as well as religious organizations like Buddhism and Taoism were outlawed and their monasteries shut. “Taoists were branded superstitious charlatans and priests caught selling charms were executed.” (Booth 8) The harshness that was instigated by Kang Hsi was intolerable to the peoples of China. Instead of the banned secret societies dissolving, they went underground creating pro-Ming, anti-Qing insurrections. One such society is the Hung Society. “Exactly when the Hung Society (Hung Mun in Cantonese) formed is unknown. It emerged by the organic aggregation of other societies into a united whole… most likely… in 1674: it was certainly well established by 1700.” (Booth 9)
The Tian-Di Hui (Heaven and Earth Society), the Hung Society’s most widely used alias to avoid being banned, “proclaimed its aims of moral reform, the furtherance of religious belief and practice, the encouragement of Chinese nationalism and coined the famous catchphrase which has echoed down the years of Triad history, 'Fan qing-fuk ming': ‘Overthrow the Qing, restore the Ming’.” (Booth 10) Although the Qing destroyed thousands of Heaven and Earth members in an attempt to destroy the Hung Society, it has still survived. Some modern Triad societies can trace themselves back to the Hung Society.
"Because the early triads were attempting to topple the ruling elements of the day, and had, in fact, been persecuted in the past, they developed secret forms of identification and communication. Triads today remain an obsessively secretive and closed criminal fraternity. The triads also developed highly ritualized initiation ceremonies meant to instill a strong sense of secrecy, and more importantly, loyalty to other triad members. The ceremonies center around 36 oaths. The greater parts of these oaths deal with loyalty to the triad. Each oath ends with a promise of death if the oath is broken. (GD 1991 92)
“…The newest and most powerful crime groups have sprung up in the last fifty years.” (Bolz 147) According to the United States government there are 7 main Chinese triad societies in the world. Although only 4 main Triad groups are listed in this article, this is only a small fraction of the number of actual groups in operation. Some modern estimates are that there are more than 60 various Triad organizations. There are as many as 180,000 members of different triad entities worldwide. (Assc Press 1)
The Sun Yee On is, by far, the largest and most powerful of the Triads. It is based in Hong Kong but has several offshoots, the most prolific branch with 25,000 members. The Sun Yee On is said to be of Chiu Chao and Hakka origin. (US Hearings 92) As a whole, it is believed to be in control of over 56,000 members worldwide, with sub-organizations located in New York, Miami, San Francisco, and Los Angeles.
The 14K Triad, based in Hong Kong, has over 20,000 members, usually of Cantonese origin, within thirty subgroups. (US Hearings 93) It is characterized as the principal rival of the Sun Yee On in Hong Kong. The 14K also have a conspicuous presence in Taiwan that "was established by a Kuomintang general and still has ties to the Kuomintang Party." (US Hearings 93) It additionally has associates all throughout the United States, Canada, Australia, and the Far East. It has been particularly active in heroin trafficking.
The Wo Group, with over 20,000 members is also based in Hong Kong. Its membership is comprised of mainly Cantonese members, much like the 14K. The Wo Hop To, a major division of the Wo group, has a major base of operation in San Francisco. "[Illegal] gambling is a major source of cash for the Wo Hop To's operations... The Wo Hop To is also active in many of the 'legal' card clubs in Emeryville, San Bruno and San Jose." (US Hearings 119) The Hong Kong based Luen Group boasts 8,000 members with 4 subgroups.
The United Bamboo Group is based in Taiwan with offshoots in foreign countries, especially those countries that maintain political ties with Taiwan. (US Report 12) These countries include several in Central and South America. The United Bamboo Group consists of at least 10,000 members, mostly second and third generation mainland immigrants, who migrated to Taiwan in 1949 with the fall of Chiang Kai-Shek and the Kuomintang. A United Bamboo Members’ Code of Ethics paper that was confiscated by the Los Angeles Country Sheriff’s Department has been translated and is as follows:
United Bamboo Members’ Code of Ethics
[size=21]1. Harmony with the people is the first priority. We have to establish good social and personal connections so as not to create enemies.
2. We have to seek special favors and help from uncommitted gang members by emphasizing our relationships with outside people. Let them publicize us.
3. Gambling is our main financial source. We have to be careful how we handle it.
4. Do not take it upon yourself to start things and make decisions you are not authorized to make. You are to discuss and plan all matters with the group and “Elder Brother.”
5. Everyone has their assigned responsibility. Do not create confusion.
6. We do not divulge our plans and affairs to outsiders, for example to our wives, girlfriends, etc. This is for our own safety.
7. We have to be united with all our brothers and obey our Elder Brother’s orders.
8. All money earned outside the group must be turned over to the group. You must not keep any of it for yourself. Let the Elder Brother decide.
9. When targeting wealthy prospects, do not act hastily. Furthermore, do not harass or threaten them. Act to prevent suspicion and fear upon their part.
10. If anything unexpected happens, do not abandon your brothers. If arrested, shoulder all responsibility and blame. Do not involve your brothers.[/size]
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