LEADERS of the territory's disciplined forces yesterday voiced fears that triads would flourish after 1997 by claiming they were patriotic and loved the Communist Party.
'We have raised our concern that the triads might wear the outfit of patriotism and love for the party in order to expand their power,' said staff-side chairman of the Disciplined Services Consultative Council, Fung Kin-hung.
He was speaking at a seminar with the Preliminary Working Committee (PWC) social and security sub-group at the Chinese Chamber of Commerce Building in Central.
In April 1993, Chinese Public Security chief Tao Siju told a news conference in Beijing that China was happy to unite with groups called 'triads' provided they were 'patriotic and concerned with the stability and prosperity of Hong Kong'.
The comments were widely criticised in Hong Kong and legislators said they might undermine the rule of law in the Special Administrative Region.
Yesterday, the Deputy Minister of Public Security, Tian Qiyu, a PWC member, said there was no need to worry.