Chinese associations are a key institution for integrating migrants into the local society. They sponsor societies’ gatherings -small for fostering close interactions and large for bringing all members together for community celebrations.
Association leaders maintain a close relationship with the Chinese embassy and are more or less involved in China’s national political economy. They are also intermediary platforms that bind the Chinese community to their hometowns and collectively represent overseas Chinese interests in host countries.
Membership
The Chinese Association is a forum for unity and a platform for all Chinese students to meet each other. It is also a great way to network and learn new things. Those who were involved in the society during their time in college say that they have strong connections and good management skills after graduating.
In addition to regular membership, there are two categories of Honorary Fellows: Fellows of CCS, who have made distinguished contributions to chemistry and to the society, and Honorary Members of ICSA, who are internationally recognized chemists who have a high standing in their fields. CCS members can become Honorary Fellows by submitting an application and being nominated by at least two current fellows of the Society.
CCBA also partners with mainstream organizations, like the American Red Cross and the Visiting Nurse Service of New York, to provide services for the community. During the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami and earthquake disaster, the CCBA spearheaded an emergency community-wide drive to collect donations for relief efforts.
Purpose
Amongst other things Chinese associations act as intermediaries between local communities and the embassy. They facilitate business, cultural and in some cases political ties between the two parties. Association leaders are often concerned about anti-Chinese sentiment and xenophobic attacks in Zambia and are keen to build relatively harmonious relations between Chinese and local Zambians.
As such they rely on their members to support local charities and to promote the national flag in public. They also organize large-scale society gatherings to foster close interactions between members and to participate in major national and cultural celebrations.
In terms of politics they work closely with the embassy and the homeland state apparatus. This is particularly evident when Chinese associations, commissioned by the embassy, organise welcome groups for visiting high-ranking Chinese officials. They also play a critical role in managing the image of China abroad. This is especially true when a PR crisis occurs. They often take on the difficult task of rebutting negative stories that have appeared in the media.
Activities
CSA provides a variety of services for Chinese students, scholars and alumni including propagating Chinese culture and providing an information platform. It also helps students to prepare for their career and school life in America through organizing various meetings and activities.
It is also involved in promoting friendships and communications among members through activities such as One Week Chinese Culture, New Students Pick-up, and Lectures on Job Hunting. Moreover, it is also active in community service and helping at-risk Chinese American immigrants obtain access to necessary social and health services such as food stamps, healthcare and housing.
CCCF is the oldest and largest social services organization serving Chinese Americans in the United States. The organization’s social services include a social work program to help at-risk elderly and disabled Chinese immigrants obtain essential health care, housing, and welfare benefits that they were promised when they arrived in America. CCCF is also an active advocate in public policy and legislative matters that impact the Asian American community.
Finances
The China Overseas Development Finance (CODF) Database provides the first global, harmonized, validated and geolocated record of Chinese overseas development finance for the period 2008-2021. The database tracks loan commitments from China’s two major development finance institutions—CDB and CHEXIM—to governments, inter-governmental bodies, majority state-owned enterprises and other sovereign sectors. The data show that overall, asset levels grew rapidly while debt levels climbed sharply.
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