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Chinese voluntary associations (CVAs) are “those associations that originate out of the migrant communities and are controlled by them, hence not official and non-governmental, even though many of these might have worked in collaboration with the… government” (Kuah-Pearce and Hu-dehart, 2006). They include:

• Huiguan (会馆): organized along clan (surname), lineage, hometown or dialect lines
• Shetuan (社团): a modern form of huiguan organized based on dialect and hometown affiliations, including Chinese chambers of commerce
• Kongsi (公司), Tang (堂) & Hui (会): some of which may have historically been considered “secret societies”
• Temples (庙宇) and religious affiliations established and operated by clan, lineage, hometown or dialect groups
• Others, such as schools, trade unions, industrial guilds, charitable associations or recreational clubs etc.

Different kinds of CVAs were developed along with the spatial mobilities of migrants with the same place of origin, dialect, lineage, surname or religion who lived, worked and studied away from ancestral places. They often formed essential components of the social fabric of migrant communities. Many of these associations were originally developed during the Ming (1368-1644) and the Qing (1636-1912) dynasties, and spread through the Chinese diaspora to many parts of the world. Members in different associations were bound together through common welfare or economic interests. Arguably, CVAs have undergone tremendous transformations in this day and age, but they still play important roles in the social life of Chinese migrants in and outside China.

Extant studies have documented the significance of Chinese voluntary associations for migrant individuals and groups (T’ien, 1953; Freedman, 1960, Yen, 1981; Kuah-Pearce, 2006), their demise or revitalization in host societies (Chong, 1992; Fung, 2016), transnational networking with ancestral villages and towns (Liu, 1998; Yow, 2013), and cultural politics of CVAs in receiving countries (Kuah-Pearce, 2006). However, most studies focus much on empirical analysis and policy implications while lacking an engagement with conceptual issues or theoretical reflections (except Montsion, 2014; Chen, 2020). As such, the conceptual/theoretical significance of CVAs studies remains relatively underdeveloped.

How do the modern developments of Chinese voluntary associations diverge from its traditional roles and how do they embark on new strategies, linkages and possibilities? How does the ‘re/de-sinification’ paradigm respond to the re-anchoring and remaking of Chinese voluntary associations in the contemporary period? How do we understand the religious dimensions of Chinese voluntary associations that often appear ambiguous and glossed over in the modernization and secularization discourse? Are there gender and age dynamics in the organizations of Chinese voluntary associations that remain largely unexplored, and do these associations still maintain a “male- and elder-centered” profile? By approaching these questions and many others, this workshop presents the work of scholars who leverage their respective disciplinary and empirical expertise to re-invigorate the study of CVAs by forging new theoretical agendas.

CONFERENCE CONVENORS

Dr Ningning CHEN
Asia Research Institute, National University of Singapore

Dr Ying Ruo SHOW
Asia Research Institute, National University of Singapore

Dr Emily HERTZMAN
Asia Research Institute, National University of Singapore

Prof Kenneth DEAN
Asia Research Institute, and Department of Chinese Studies, National University of Singapore

REGISTRATION

Registration is closed, and instructions on how to participate in this online conference has been sent out to registered attendees. Please write to aritm@nus.edu.sg if you would like to attend the event.