In China, they were originally organized as means of resistance against the Manchu invaders. They gradually transformed into criminal enterprises (mixed with some promotion of local social welfare?). Some triads trace their origins to these secret societies. Now triad movies may have different reasons for their appeal -- showing unfettered alphas strutting their stuff might be one of them. But I would not categorize the "heroic bloodshed" movies (such as the ones done by John Woo) as belonging to triad movies, as the themes are usually different. "Heroic bloodshed" movies look instead at male friendship and questions of loyalty and so on. Might some be envious of the male camaraderie that is a feature of secret societies, implying a recognition that this is mostly lacking in the megapoleis of China, like Hong Kong?
Even if they were not committed to the active overthrow of the regime of power, as a locus of competing power, secret socieites and the like would be threat by undermining the regime's claim to legitimacy. Have secret societies been growing in China? Or has everyone in the megapoleis been too busy chasing after money and toys and things? What about gang membership? How many triad members are patriots?
Let us pray for the underground Church in China.
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