In addition to fostering the development of Chinese cultural society, the association sponsors academic forums and assembles holiday celebrations. It also provides practical services for its members, such as passport renewal or transportation.
Moreover, the association carries out an intermediary function between Chinese migrants and Beijing by representing their grievances to the embassy. The ambassador and political counsellor frequently hold meetings with qiaoling (leaders of Chinese associations) and give them guidelines.
History
As a mercantile body the Association represented trade interests to the British Government and Chinese authorities. It often acted in conjunction with the London Chamber of Commerce, local Chambers and the Federation of British Industries. Its work involved corresponding with the Foreign Office and regularly submitting Chinese commercial grievances. A substantial number of the China Association papers are held at SOAS.
In the 1970s, a growth in Chinese students led to an increase in associations established by them. These groups chose different geographical directions for their academic growth, but the United States was recognized as the leading direction.
Today, Beijing’s overriding focus on maintaining its own control leads to policies that inherently complicate cooperation with democratic allies and that discourage the flow of ideas to China. These practices create a barrier to achieving the full range of bilateral economic and cultural objectives. This is an issue that should concern us all.
Functions
In China, community associations are a grassroots effort to preserve property rights. When developers and management companies violate residents’ rights, such as denying them their deeds or failing to provide promised amenities, homeowners often take matters into their own hands. They may form a pre-association, then seek to meet a voting threshold and gain approval from the developer or management company to establish an association.
The North American Chinese Sociologists Association (NACSA) began without a name in the 1970s as an informal pay-as-you-go dinner gathering of sociologists who were of Chinese descent during the annual meetings of the American Sociological Association (ASA). Nan Lin, who served as the group’s first president, later gave it a name and started collecting dues. The function of NACSA is to facilitate scholarly exchanges among sociologists of Chinese descent. It also aims to foster and support sociological research related to Chinese societies and cultures, as well as to promote the dissemination of knowledge about these subjects.
Membership
CSA members are proactive individuals who are willing to try new things and build strong networking skills. They are well-connected with other students and local community members. In addition, they have great social and organizational skills and are able to manage their time effectively.
The China Association was a mercantile body, formed to represent the interests of those with trade links with China, Hong Kong and Japan. It worked closely alongside the London Chamber of Commerce, local Chambers and the Federation of British Industries to present commercial grievances to the British government and Chinese authorities.
Among its work, the association is proud to host a range of events in partnership with other Asian organizations. These include Interview Workshops, Life in the Big Four and Networking. CMAA also works with Discover, the Employee Resource Group for Asian Professionals. They are dedicated to bringing diverse cultural experiences to employees through lunch and learns, keynote speakers and cultural celebrations like Lunar New Year.
Activities
Besides supporting community development and promoting cultural activities, Chinese associations are also a great way for people to connect with each other. From family associations based on surnames to wooi-kun, which resemble district associations, these organizations are an important part of the community.
They host events such as Poon Choi for senior citizens, the Worcester Dragon Boat races, and student visits. They are also active in educating the public on Chinese American history and culture.
The CCBA also organizes emergency response efforts during natural disasters and world tragedies. For instance, during the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami and earthquake, they raised funds to support the victims. Moreover, the CCBA works closely with mainstream organizations to provide services for the local Chinese community. It has even formed a dance group, which helps members develop a deeper appreciation for their culture.