Overseas Chinese Associations, Street Gangs and China consulates

By Joshua Philipp, Epoch Times Staff, Oct 22, 2008 –

It is known internationally and throughout the Chinese community in New York that numerous Chinese associations, also referred to as “tongs,” act as the fronts of gang and mafia-like organizations, and often work under the direct orders of the Chinese consulates.

In 1927, Mao Zedong, the first leader of the Chinese communist regime recommended utilizing the criminals of society. Mao said, “The social scum and hoodlums have always been spurned by the society, but they are actually the bravest, the most thorough and firmest in the revolution in the rural areas.”

The Chinese Communist party’s utilization of gangs, criminals, and thugs, as a way to meet its objectives carries on till this day.

A document published by the NIJ International Center, United Nation Activities, entitled “Chinese Transnational Organized Crime: The Fuk Ching,” by Dr. James Finckenauer, explains the relationship between Chinese associations and street gangs.

“One of the structural characteristics that makes Chinese organized crime different from other forms is the relationship between some of the street gangs and certain adult organizations. The latter are called tongs. The Fuk Ching, for example, are affiliated with the Fukien American Association,” says the document.

A research document published in 1999, also describes the connection of the various Chinese associations in New York with street gangs. The document, entitled, “Chinese People Smuggling (Part I-text),” was published by the Social Contract Press and was written by Mark Craig, on the Faculty of Law, Department of Justice Studies, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Australia.

The document discusses how the associations run in two different forms; one that deals in the political sphere, and one that engages in organized crime. According to the report, “There are two layers of social order in Chinatowns, legitimate and illegitimate. The legitimate social order regulates political, economic, and social behavior, while the illegitimate social order oversees criminal activities.”

The report continues by giving a few examples of the various Chinese associations and their affiliated gangs: “in New York City the major tongs are all associated with gangs. The Hip Sing is supported by the Flying Dragons, the On Leong by the Ghost Shadows, the Tung On by the Tung On Gang, and the Fukien American Association by the Fuk Ching.”……

(mored details from The Epochtimes)