The Societies Ordinance is a piece of primary legislation in Hong Kong. It was originally enacted in 1911 and has undergone major revisions. The Ordinance regulates incorporated and unincorporated associations of persons (broadly defined as "societies") and requires registrations (unless regulated under a different ordinance or otherwise exempted). In other words, it prohibits informal or secret societies and eliminates freedom of association. It also prohibits Triad Societies and modern successor gangs.