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. He said China was committed to co-operating with Hong Kong to combat triads. Triad would not be allowed to 'buttress their roots' in Hong Kong after 1997, he said. Mr Fung also told the PWC that the disciplined forces were concerned about increasing cases of corruption. He urged the PWC to step up contacts with the civil service unions before formulating its opinions on policies related to them. Because possible changes to laws after 1997 would affect civil servants' work, Mr Fung urged the PWC to gauge their views. More than 40 representatives from 16 unions, including the Expatriate Inspectors' Association, the Local Inspectors' Association, and the Junior Police Officers' Association attended the meeting. Although the Government has imposed a ban on official contacts between the civil servants and the PWC, some representatives said they had been released from their duties to attend yesterday's meeting. The meetings were arranged following criticism that the PWC was distancing itself from the people. Earlier, the PWC sub-group members met leaders of the territory's social welfare organisations. Legislator representing the social welfare sector Hui Yin-fat said members had relayed their concern about operation of the subvented sector after 1997. Chairman of the Hong Kong Rehabilitation Alliance, Peter Chan Fuk-sing, asked that more disabled people be incorporated into the Government's advisory bodies after 1997. Mr Chan was assured that Hong Kong could be represented in international rehabilitation organisations in the name of 'China Hong Kong'. PWC Hong Kong co-convenor Rita Fan Hsu Lai-tai said social welfare and the disciplined forces would be the focus of the sub-group's work in the second half of the year and more meetings would be arranged.
