The Library collects materials related to Chinese associations in the United States. This includes historical documents, reports, and photographs.
Liu’s insight into power relations in traditional overseas Chinese societies is useful for understanding how qiaoling (association leaders) function as intermediaries between Chinese migrants and local governments and society. This is especially true for new, rapidly developing Chinese associations in Africa.
Membership
ACA members support cross-cultural understanding and benefit from discounted access to public events and programs about all things China, including unique exhibitions, language classes, family programming, business forums, and more throughout the year. Join now!
Founded in 1883, the Chinese Consolidated Benevolent Association (CCBA) is one of the oldest community organizations in Chinatown. It performs a quasi-governmental role in providing financial, social, and naturalization services for New York City’s Chinese community.
CCBA’s records include minutes and papers of the General and Executive Committee; correspondence with the Foreign Office, Board of Trade, London Chamber of Commerce, local Chambers of Commerce, Hong Kong Association, Tientsin and Shanghai Chambers of Commerce, and the Sino-British Trade Council; and reports and articles on Chinese affairs. Among other activities, the CCBA represented British traders’ grievances with Chinese officials and worked closely with the London Chamber of Commerce and local chambers. It also founded the School of Practical Chinese. The society also publishes several journals and periodicals.
Activities
CSA provides many different activities for its members such as: social gatherings, career workshops, networking sessions, and cultural shows. It also offers support and encouragement to those in need through its counseling services.
Its goal is to promote the cultural identity of Chinese students and scholars in order to maintain their presence on campus. CSA seeks to provide the community with a voice and serve as a link between the Chinese student body and the outside world.
The Chinese Association is a part of a larger group of organizations called Zhonghua Huiguan or the Chinese Consolidated Benevolent Association. It was originally founded in 1884 to inform Chinese residents about Canadian laws and protect them from discrimination. The organization later expanded to include social welfare activities. Today it is a major cultural and social center in Victoria, BC. Its membership includes many prominent modern Chinese scholars from around the world. The CCBA has sponsored a number of international conferences on modern China and continues to contribute its expertise through presentations at local, regional and national meetings.
Functions
Among many other things, the association plays a role in transforming an imagined community of Chinese migrants from different backgrounds into a real community with common interests. Hosting national events, organizing holiday celebrations, assembling academic forums, and recruiting talents are all some of its main focuses.
The leaders of these associations are also keen to gain support from both the embassy and local elites, a practice which can be seen as a form of soft power and people-to-people diplomacy. This is especially evident during high-level visits from the Chinese government when associations, commissioned by the embassy, help organise welcoming groups and signs.
The social capital gained from being a member of a Chinese association is used to further personal and business endeavours. Some of the associations are civic and self-governing while others are semi-official, subject to direct supervision by the Chinese embassy. As intermediary platforms, these associations help bind new Chinese migrants to the homeland state, contributing their allegiance whilst gaining access to public goods that would otherwise be unavailable to them in host societies.
Goals
CSA isn’t just about establishing a community for its members, but also promoting Chinese culture and bridging cultural discrepancies. It’s a great place for networking, as you can often find people from different nationalities and backgrounds, but it’s also a fantastic platform to develop your leadership and management skills.
Moreover, CSA is open to students from all backgrounds and even non-Chinese students who want to learn about the culture and language. This way, CSA can bring convenience service and social-learning instrument to the local society for everyone.
ACA provides social services, educational classes, healthcare, recreation and exercise activities, a library, and more at its three service centers. It is one of the largest Asian-Pacific American organizations in the Metro-Detroit area. It has a rich history of serving immigrants and their families in Michigan, as well as a long list of accomplishments. In addition to empowering youth, ACA is committed to ensuring the health and wellbeing of older adults and low-income residents.