While undercover at Ayers Rock, Bob Taylor of the Australian Federal Narcotics Bureau confronts Win Chan, a Chinese drug courier, and his partner; Chan gives chase, leading to a brutal fight on top of the site, where Taylor ultimately defeats him, while his partner is killed when a car crashes and explodes after a police helicopter pursues them.
Due to Chan’s refusal to cooperate and his inability to speak English, the Royal Hong Kong Police Force drafts one of its finest Special Branch officers, Fang Sing Leng—a polyglot, a deadly kung fu practitioner, and an expert marksman—to assist Taylor and his partner, Morrie Grosse, in bringing Chan to justice.
Before departing for Sydney, Fang’s routine at the RHKPF training school is interrupted by the sudden arrival of journalist Caroline Thorne via hang-glider; even though the glider is confiscated, Fang and Caroline share a flirtatious moment, and Fang agrees to meet her again while in Sydney.
After meeting Taylor and Grosse, Fang subjects Chan to a merciless interrogation. He learns that Chan works for Wilton, an import/export magnate whose legitimate interests mask a sprawling criminal empire; Wilton’s power makes him Sydney’s most influential figure and nearly impossible to pin down. Just before Chan’s trial, Chan is shot dead, prompting Fang to pursue the sniper, John Grantley, through Paddington and into a Chinese restaurant. Their ensuing fight ends with Grantley’s death, and Fang discovers that Grantley was a martial arts instructor in Wilton’s employ.
Despite warnings, Fang presses on and confronts Wilton. A morning workout and a sudden, brutal standoff culminate in Fang being ordered to leave as Wilton trains a crossbow on him. Fang then infiltrates Wilton’s martial arts school and is nearly fatally injured during a prolonged clash with its staff and students. He hitchhikes with two university students, Angelica and Mei Ling, who take him to a veterinary clinic in Bathurst, where Fang is nursed back to health and falls into a romance with Angelica, though he insists on returning to Sydney.
Angered by Fang’s interference, Wilton has Willard trace his movements from Angelica’s van license plate and dispatches a gang of masked assassins after him as he and Angelica head back to the city. A bomb-equipped van destroys Angelica in the crash, leaving Fang more determined than ever. He slides behind the wheel of a Chrysler Valiant Charger and defeats the attackers in a succession of high-octane car chases.
News of Fang’s survival reaches Wilton, who closes himself away in the penthouse of his gleaming skyscraper headquarters. With Caroline’s help, Fang glides a hang-glider over Sydney Harbour and lands on the roof of Wilton’s tower, deftly lowering a rope to reach the ground. He storms the penthouse and confronts Wilton, overpowering him after Wilton’s clothes and hand are singed by a blazing fireplace. Grabbing a bag of heroin from a stockpile, Fang tapes a grenade to Wilton’s mouth and pressures him into writing and signing a confession. A distraction causes Fang to momentarily lose the pin, sealing Wilton’s fate as the grenade detonates, triggering a chain of explosions that obliterate the safe and devastate the penthouse.
With the confession in hand and drugs as incriminating evidence, Taylor and Grosse take in the climactic moment as Wilton is finally brought down. Fang’s relentless method and resolve leave the Australian authorities genuinely impressed, closing a case that blended international cooperation, spectacular action, and a decisive, if costly, triumph.
