Appeared in the 17th century in the form of "secret societies", the triads gradually evolved into criminal organisations. Western colonisation represented a tremendous opportunity for them. Following the "opium wars", they became involved in drug trafficking and grew richer. They became powerful enough to influence the founding of the Republic of China. After the Second World War, Mao's rise to power forced the triads to leave the country. But they didn't go far: to Taiwan and Hong Kong, where they lived out their golden years.
