page_title: Chinese Consolidated Benevolent Association
section_title: History
hierarchical_section_title: Chinese Consolidated Benevolent Association / San Francisco / History
caption_attribution_description: San Francisco
context_page_description: The Chinese Consolidated Benevolent Association is a historical Chinese Association established in various parts of the United States and Canada with large Chinese communities. It is also known by other names such as Chong Wa Benevolent Association in Seattle, Washington and United Chinese Society in Honolulu, Hawaii. the clientele were the Chinese immigrants of the late 19th century and their descendents. The new wave of Chinese immigration after 1965 did not join the CCBA, which greatly lessened its influence.
context_section_description: Chinese immigrants felt that the US government did not protect their interests. To protect their own interests, Chinese businessmen from Guangdong formed the Kong Chow Association (meaning "Pearl River Delta"). When tensions arose between Cantonese people of different dialects and districts, the association split in two. Four more organizations appeared in the 1850s in prominent neighborhoods in San Francisco. The organizations consisted of the six most important Chinese district associations of California. The associations had some mutual coordination before the Chinese Consolidated Benevolent Association, or Chinese Six Companies (Chinese: 六大公司) was established in 1882 in San Francisco. Later, branches were established in other US cities.
  These immigrant organizations were rooted in the tradition of huiguan, support groups in Chinese cities for merchants and officials originating from a given area. Most Chinese in California were from six districts collectively called Gangzhou, and the first huiguan there emerged in 1851, the Kong Chow Company. In 1851, the Sam Yap Company formed associated with Nanhai, Panyu, Shunde, Sanshui, and Xingyun districts. Towards the end of 1851, the Sze Yap Company was formed of Xinhui, Kaiping, Xinning, and Enpig districts. In 1852, the Yeong Wo Company was formed of Heung-shan, Tung-kun, and Tsang-shing districts. Also in 1852, the Hip Kat company was formed by Hakka immigrants from Bow On, Chak Tai, Tung Gwoon and Chu Mui districts. Later, The Sze Yap company divided and the Ning Yeung company emerged.
  The Six Companies served as ambassadors of the Qing government to Chinatown and provided services for Chinese workers in San Francisco. Their early efforts included to deter prostitution in the Chinese community, encourage Chinese immigrants to lead moral lives, and discourage excessive continuing Chinese immigration causing hostility toward Chinese in US. The Six Companies created a safety net for sick Chinese workers, lending them money. They opened a Chinese-language school, settled disputes among members, maintained a Chinese census, and helped send remittances to members to their home villages through district associations. In 1875, they endorsed the position that continued Chinese immigration caused a general lowering of wages for both whites and Chinese in America.
caption: The headquarters of the Chinese Consolidated Benevolent Association in San Francisco (a.k.a. Chinese Six Companies) is located on Stockton Street.
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