Lai See | The price of allowing triads to harass umbrella movement

Commenting on yesterday's intervention by so-called anti-occupy groups, the risk consultancy firm Steve Vickers and Associates (SVA) warns, "there will be many lingering after effects", notably in the political price these groups will exact for their support.

SVA mentions in this respect the Heung Yee Kuk, who pledged to support the government and also triad involvement both in support of anti-occupy groups and as suspected agitators in Kowloon West. SVA warned that tacit acceptance of overt triad activity under the banner of "blue ribbons" or United Front organisations, "may perhaps help the Hong Kong and mainland governments meet their short-term objectives".

However, the blatant triad involvement will cause "longer-term difficulties in policing Hong Kong, post Occupy Central". SVA added that this situation had been exacerbated by perceived inaction by government against senior level triad office-bearers since the 1997 handover, with some even acquiring mainland recognition and titles.

The current political crisis has, for many, exposed the weaknesses of "one country, two systems". But one area in which it appears to be working smoothly is in the exploitation of the driving licence application system by visitors from the mainland. The Transport Department has recently seen an increase in the number of mainland Chinese applications for Hong Kong driving licences.

This coincides with the appearance of travel articles on the internet aimed at mainland Chinese, drawing attention to a loophole in Hong Kong's licence application system. Mainland Chinese with a valid licence and a Hong Kong correspondence address can go to Admiralty's transport office and apply for a Hong Kong licence. This is because China is not a signatory to the UN international drivers licence regulations, which means that mainland Chinese are unable to obtain international drivers licences.