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Triads: The Chinese Mafia Conquering the World

S1 E1- Gangsters / Birth of an Octopus

8.2

2023

1 Seasons

Appearing in the 17th century in the form of secret societies, the triads gradually evolved into criminal organizations. Western colonization represented a great opportunity for them. After the opium wars, they became involved in the drug trade and grew rich. They became powerful enough to influence the founding of the Republic of China. After World War II, Mao's rise to power forced the triads to leave the country. But they did not go far: to Taiwan and Hong Kong, where they lived their golden years.

Seasons

Season 15

Episodes

1. Gangsters / Birth of an Octopus

60m

The handover of Hong Kong and Macau to China offered the triads the opportunity to make a pact with their former communist enemy. They offered their support to the government in exchange for a substantial share of the country's economic development. Although officially repressed in mainland China, the Chinese Communist Party was interested in their money and entrepreneurial spirit. Overly flashy gangsters gave way to more discreet businessmen. But the triads ended up posing a danger to Xi Jinping's China.

Triads: The Chinese Mafia Conquering the World

Seasons

Episodes

1. Gangsters / Birth of an Octopus

2. Businessmen / Chinese Eldorado

3. The World Belongs to Them / Serving the Red Empire

4. Episode 4

5. Episode 5