Chinese associations are intermediary platforms for binding overseas emigrants to the state, contributing their allegiance and acting as a proxy of collective China interests in host societies. They also function as a channel for political outreach from Beijing vis-à-vis new Chinese migrants.
In our study in Zambia, many Chinese association leaders were worried about anti-Chinese sentiment and xenophobic attacks on Chinese nationals. This motivated them to proactively build up an institutional structure in their local communities.
Membership
The Chinese Association is an organization of academic and professional members of the Chinese Chemical Society (CCS). Fellows are senior members who have made significant and sustained contributions to the advancement of CCS and/or its related fields. Fellows are highly respected internationally and recognized for their accomplishments, expertise, and leadership.
The association works to provide a space where students can share their experiences, promote cultural heritage and exchange. This includes hosting events like a cultural potluck, dragon boat racing, and networking opportunities. CSA also advocates for the community in times of need, such as when the Asian American community is subjected to hate crimes.
CSA has many different committees that work to serve the community. These committees include:
Activities
CSA typically hosts and organizes cultural shows, social gatherings, national events and academic forums for its members. These events are designed to ensure close interactions among its members and bridge them with local communities.
The organisers of these events also promote and spread Chinese culture and traditions. They often collaborate with various Asian organisations to bring society members together for massive national and cultural celebrations.
The organisers of these events are also involved in fundraising for community projects and philanthropy. They also help support NGOs in China to fundraise and provide technical assistance to rural villages and farmers. During the coronavirus pandemic, these associations raised money to support hospital workers and first responders in China and other places affected by the virus. They also helped a thalassemia patient in Guangzhou who needs regular blood transfusions. These efforts have been impacted by the strict containment measures of China. These initiatives will hopefully resume once the pandemic is over.
Events
CCBA is dedicated to providing opportunities for students to understand and appreciate Chinese culture. The organization promotes cultural awareness and development of a unified Chinese student body by hosting cultural show productions, social activities and fundraisers.
The New Year Gala is an annual event that celebrates Chinese culture and is open to the community. It features a variety of performances such as Chinese dance, music and martial arts. In addition, a cultural fair is held where participants can learn about Chinese calligraphy, paper cutting and traditional hand crafts.
This is a free online event.
Fundraising
In a time when many WVU Medicine employees have been working on the front lines of the COVID-19 pandemic, Morgantown’s Chinese community has been busy fundraising for personal protective equipment. The group joined a number of others across the country in this effort to provide masks, face shields and gloves to medical staff at hospitals throughout West Virginia and beyond.
Currently, Chinese universities are funded through three major income streams: annual recurrent block funds paid to an institution based on a per capita payment; tuition and miscellaneous fees reflecting prices set by local governments; and philanthropic support (Guo, 2014). Among these, philanthropic donations represent a significant portion of revenue for universities.
To maximize fundraising success, it is crucial to develop a strategy that integrates philanthropic support into the overall university advancement plan and governance structures. This includes developing professional and competent fundraising teams, improving communication and outreach strategies, and overcoming institutional constraints. These steps are necessary to promote a more sustainable and inclusive higher education system in China.