Besides serving as an avenue of communication between Chinese students and the wider campus community, the Association also helps promote Chinese culture through various activities.
Li’s research on traditional overseas Chinese associations, based on family name or hometown identities, provides an analytical framework for studying new forms of associational life in China-Africa relations.
Membership
Membership provides a networking opportunity for businesses and organizations with ties to China, Chinatown, and other Asian communities. It also allows you to promote your business at various Chinese Association events and activities.
Despite the political instability following World War II, the China Association continued to lobby the British government on behalf of its members. The archives include minutes and papers relating to the General Committee, Executive Committee, the School of Practical Chinese Endowment Fund and the Hong Kong Association; correspondence with the Foreign Office and Board of Trade; and reports on a variety of topics related to trade and the Far East.
CSA members are highly motivated, well-connected and proactive individuals who demonstrate strong leadership and management skills. Moreover, they typically have strong social and cultural understanding of their Chinese heritage, while embracing the diversity of American culture. Moreover, the connections formed in CSA help them in their career plans as they grow professionally and personally.
Activities
The work of the Society was mainly in a mercantile capacity and it frequently lobbied the British Government and Chinese authorities on behalf of its members. It often acted in conjunction with the London Chamber of Commerce, local Chambers and the Federation of British Industries.
CCBA works to promote and enrich Chinese culture by sponsoring many annual events such as: One week Chinese culture, New students pick-up, Badminton contest and Lectures on Job hunting. This has a positive impact on industry unity and social communication within the college community.
In addition to these, CCBA collaborates with the local non-profit Chinese organizations and Augusta University to host a New Year Gala that is open to the public. This is a great opportunity for the students to showcase their talents and gain more exposure. The performances include comic skits, songs and music, martial arts and a lot more. It is a very fun event. Moreover, this helps the students to gain more confidence in their Chinese language skills and also to develop a sense of belonging among the community.
Fundraising
CSA raises money to help Chinese students, as well as share culture with local Kent State community members through fundraisers and events. For example, CSA has collaborated with Discover’s Asian Professionals ERG to host cultural awareness events for employees.
Charity organisations in China are facing unprecedented challenges amid the country’s economic slowdown, with many now struggling to survive. Those running thalassaemia service centres, gender education bases and other non-profits say restrictions on offline activities during the coronavirus pandemic have made it harder to raise funds.
Wei Tianyu, a third-year university student in Guangzhou, has been receiving blood transfusions for his genetic blood disorder thalassaemia every three to four weeks since birth and says the XLX Thalassaemia Service Centre, an NGO that educates people about thalassaemia and promotes standardised treatment, is having trouble raising money. The centre has secured government funding of 180,000 yuan, but needs to raise 240,000 yuan by itself. Many donors are reluctant to contribute because of the economic downturn, and even enterprises that once supported charitable activities have stopped doing so.
Sponsorships
CSA fosters an important supportive cultural and social environment for Chinese student unity within a uni’s campus. It offers students the opportunity to change their perspective, learn new things and grow as a person or professional.
In China, Holt sponsors and donors help children in poverty attend school and stay healthy by covering the cost of medical care for their families. Families without access to insurance often avoid seeking care for fear of the costs, which can lead to serious illness and even death. In addition, sponsor and donor support provides group homes for children living with HIV so they have a sense of family and can receive specialized care.
In the United States, CMAA works with Discover to bring cultural awareness and education to employees through lunch and learns, keynote speakers and other events. They also work with other corporate partners to promote Chinese culture through its youth development programs.