The China Association was a mercantile body that took commercial grievances to the British Government and to the authorities in China. It worked closely with the London and local Chambers of Commerce, the Federation of British Industries and the Foreign Office.
Over the past decade, Chinese voluntary associations (CVAs) have been reconstituting their relationships with host society. This is a response to the challenges brought by China rising and new geopolitics.
Education
Provides leadership, scholarship, and service to the profession by advocating for K-16 Chinese language education and by establishing a forum for sharing expertise, experience, materials, and ideas. Encourages students, teachers, and administrators to enhance their linguistic skills and cultural understanding through study abroad, exchanges, and internship programs. Disseminates research and best practices in teaching and learning Chinese through annual conferences, workshops, journals, newsletters, websites, and advocacy materials.
A 501(c)3 non-profit organization devoted to promoting the rich heritage and wisdom of traditional Chinese culture. CCA works to integrate traditional Chinese cultural wisdom into modern life and work, and promote the development of the arts and taijiquan.
ACS organizes an annual conference during the Memorial Day weekend every year. The conference features keynote speeches, teaching seminars, student activities, speech competitions, multi-media presentation competitions, Karaoke competitions, academics exhibition, and panel discussions. The conference attracts participants from all over the United States. ACS also helps local communities develop their own Chinese language and culture centers.
Social
CCBA is committed to strengthening ties within the Chinese community and with the community at large by promoting education, cultural appreciation, mutual respect and understanding. It is working toward these communities’ common goal of improving the society that they share.
The CCBA has worked closely with many mainstream organizations, including the Visiting Nurse Service of New York and American Cancer Society. In December 2006, CCBA and the Red Cross of Greater New York signed a Memorandum of Understanding to coordinate programs in Chinatown that will help prepare and train the Chinese community for any kind of emergency.
GPWCAA is a nonprofit organization that seeks to promote, inspire, and enrich the lives of its members and the broader community through civic engagement, political participation, heritage sharing, and youth development. GPWCAA fosters a strong sense of community and identity by providing networking opportunities, mentorship programs, and events that showcase the beauty of Chinese culture. The CCBA also provides assistance to new immigrants in their efforts to become naturalized citizens and registered voters.
Cultural
The China Association’s cultural programs encourage appreciation of Chinese holidays and traditions. They also offer Chinese language classes, teaching both reading comprehension and conversational skills to children and adults.
The Association became increasingly involved in promoting and protecting Chinese interests after World War II. When the Communist advance across China was threatening British trade, the Association acted in conjunction with local Chambers of Commerce and the London Chamber of Commerce to alert the British government to the difficult conditions in China.
In addition, the CCBA was an early advocate for the rights of Chinese Americans. It helped ensure that Chinese American voters had the option to choose either English or Mandarin on their ballots, and it organized laid-off electronics and rubber stamp manufacturing workers to win substantial severance pay and job training opportunities. It also partnered with mainstream organizations such as the Visiting Nurse Service of New York to provide services to the Chinatown community in times of need.
Community
The CCBA works closely with many mainstream community organizations to offer services to Chinatown residents. For example, it has worked to encourage Chinese Americans to participate in the electoral process by helping them obtain their U.S. citizenship and registering them to vote. After the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunami, the CCBA worked with Sing Tao Daily to organize a fundraising campaign that raised $170,000 for disaster relief.
CCBA has also helped to support the growth of local business owners in Chinatown by providing financial and technical assistance. It also helped Chinese wait staff win a $110,000 unpaid wage settlement affecting 80 tipped workers. And it worked with Boston city government to ensure bilingual Chinese and Vietnamese ballots for Boston voters. The CCBA has been a powerful force in the development of Chinatown since its founding in 1883.