Part V Of the Same Blood
Gone through three passes and six ports, and taken Fenghua taros
——a Ningbo proverb
1．Alliance All Over the World
The power of unity and autonomy of Ningbo natives is well known far and wide. In the modern times, wherever there are Ningbo businessmen, there would be distinguished capitalist families, and Ningbonese associations. Tied with clansmanship and fellowship, they would support one another, hold together through thick and thin, and share their success and progress. This practice prevails even abroad, which fully represents their strong cohesion and sense of regional group.
1) The Associations of Ningbonese in Shanghai
Ningbo Pagoda During the Qianlong Period (1736-95), some businessmen from Ningbo like Qian Sui, Fei Yuangui, Pan Fengzhan and Wang Zhonglie, launched “One Penny Fund” for a place to lay coffins. In 1797, Ningbo Pagoda was built, which was expanded to so large a scale with successive purchase of land, that meetings of Ningbonese, whatsoever the group or business, were all held there. It became the early form of Ningbo Association of Shanghai, which signified that Ningbonese had taken a firm stand in Shanghai’s industry and commerce.
Ningbo Association of Shanghai In 1909, Hong Baozhai from Cixi and a dozen other people from Ningbo set up the Siming Association at Hankou Road, which ended when Hong left Shanghai. In the next year, it was restarted as “Ningbo Association of Shanghai” with Shi Meiqing’s donation of all his private property. Other donators included Qian Dasan, Xie Hengchuang, Chen Yunquan, Chen Rongguan, Chu Pao San, and Sun Meitang. Its office was located at No 22, Fuzhou Road. At the founding meeting in 1911, Li Zhengwu was chosen as president, Yu Ya Ching and Chu Pao San as vice presidents. Under the spirit of unity and autonomy, it aimed at uniting and serving fellow townsmen, and facilitating the prosperity of their hometown.
Shanghai General Chamber of Commerce
In 1912, Shanghai General Chamber of Commerce was founded, with Zhou Jinbiao from Cixi as its first president. It was a new type of organization of Shanghai national industrialists and businessmen. Later it was chaired by Ningbo natives like Yan Xinhou, Chu Pao San and Yu Chia Ching, and it played an important part in the Chinese commercial circle for its active participation in Shanghai and even China’s internal and foreign affairs, thus winning the honor of “China’s No I Chamber of Commerce.”
2) Zhejiang Assembly Hall in Tianjin
In Tianjin, Ningbo businessmen mainly engaged in the capital-intensive industries like shipping, import and export, banking and insurance, silk and woolen cloth, jewelry, spectacles and clocks and watches. In 1885, Yan Xiaofang, Yan Jiaoming, Wang Minghuai and others set up Zhejiang Assembly Hall in Hubu Street, where the fellow townsmen had regular gatherings and meetings. Attached to the hall there is a reposing garden for coffins and funeral affairs. With more Ningbo natives as members, the club fell under the control of Ningbonese, and it served mainly to promote association and provide relief for its members.
3) Ningbo Association of Hankou
Ningbo businessmen in Hankou mainly dealt in aquatic products, jewelry, shipping, matches, water and electricity, coarse grains, kerosene, hardware and banking, with some serving as compradors for foreign firms. In 1924, these businessmen founded Ningbo Association of Hankou, with Sheng Binjin as its first president. The association mainly concerned with education, public welfare and charity affairs.
4) Ningbo Association of Chongqing
In Chongqing, Ningbonese engaged mainly in industry, banking, construction, medicine, clothing, publishing, printing ink, automobile, and transportation. The Siming Association in Chongqing was founded in December, 1920, by Mu Gengzhao, Xia Yusheng and Liu Shanqing, with an office in the Zhejiang Metal Guild. It aimed at advocating harmony among Ningbonese and promoting public welfare, and it was renamed later as Ningbo Association of Chongqing in 1929.
5) Other Ningbonese Associations
Ningbo merchants set up fellow associations or other similar organizations in all the places where they do business.
2. All Are of One Heart
After World War II, Ningbo Bang began its gradual development overseas, and the associations played an important role in it. Wherever they go, Ningbonese would set up townsmen associations, or together with the people whose homeland is near Ningbo, Zhejiang associations, Jiangzhe associations, or Sanjiang (including Jiangsu, Zhejiang, Jiangxi) assembly halls, to unite fellowmen, strengthen fellowship, identify fellow blood, and in particular to reciprocate their motherland and hometown.
1) Ningbonese Associations in Hong Kong
Ning Po Residents Association (HK) On April 9, 1967, Ning Po Residents Association (HK) was founded by Li Dak Sum, Liu Peikang, and Shui Qining, taking in Ningbonese in Hong Kong as its members. With Li Dak Sum, Wong Tung Yeung, Tsao Peh Chong, Pao Tsung Hsing, Robert W.H. Wang, and Jin Ruxin as presidents successively, it has developed into an influential association. Aiming at contacting among fellow Ningbonese and bringing benefits to the motherland, it has made great contribution both to the prosperity of Hong Kong and the construction of China. In 2009, it was renamed as Ning Po Residents Association (H.K.) Ltd.
Yonggang Solidarity of Hong Kong On August 10, 1980, Yonggang Sodality of Hong Kong was initiated by K.C. Wong, a famous patriotic compatriot, who is a member of the Standing Committee of the National Committee of the CPPCC, and president of the Chinese General Chamber of Commerce (HK). Its present president is Yin Shun Choy. As its counterpart, Yonggang Solidarity of Ningbo was set up in October, 1980 and its present president is Lu Liangbao. Both associations have since united those from Ningbo and those willing to help Ningbo, and made great contribution to the development of China, and Ningbo in particular.
2) Ningbonese Associations in Taiwan
Taipei Ningpo Folks Association On August 28, 1947, Yeh Chi Fa, Ing Chang-ki and some 20 other Ningbonese launched Taiwan Ning Po Folks Association, who was later renamed as Taipei Ningpo Folks Association. In the past 60 years, aiming at promoting fellowship, enlightening self-supporting, boosting social development and seeking welfare, the association has held varieties of meetings and public welfare activities, and thus has become a well-known public organization in Taiwan. Its present president is Mao Pou Ching.
3) Ningbonese Associations in Japan
Ningbo Association of Japan Founded in Tokyo by Chen Jinxu and He Bingfa in 1922, the association was discontinued for the Kanto Earthquake in 1923. Resumed in May 1950, it became an incorporated foundation in April 1957 and changed the managing system from presidency to chairmanship. Zhang Hexiang, Ding Zhiming, and Jiang Qitai served as chairman successively and Fu Jianxing is the current chairman. The association aims at promoting harmonious fellowship, consolidating townsmenship, increasing welfare and rendering help to its members.
The Association of Zhejiang-Based Chinese in Japan The association was founded in Tokyo by Ningbo-based Zhang Longtang and Zhang Longting on May 6, 1968, consisting mainly of Ningbonese. Wang Jiafu and Liu Jingrong, both from Ningbo, served as its former chairman. Ever since the founding, it has played a significant role in uniting Zhejiang natives in Japan, strengthening their mutual assistance, improving their welfare, enhancing relation between similar associations, and developing economic and cultural exchanges between Japan and Zhejiang, and Ningbo in particular.
4) Ningbonese Associations in Singapore
Singapore Sam Kiang Huay Kwan Launched in 1906 as Singapore Sam Kiang Office by Fu Zhu Xian from Ningbo, Singapore Sam Kiang Huay Kwan got its present name in 1927. The early members were mainly from Jiangsu, Zhejiang and Jiangxi provinces, but came to include people from other parts of China, except Guangdong, Guangxi and Fujian. It actually consists of seven branches, including Hunan & Hubei Huay Kwan, Jiangxi Huay Kwan and Ningbo Guild. It aims to promote fellowship and unity, and seek benefit for society. Ever since it was founded, its Ningbo-based members have played an important part, with Hu Jialie as a leader for a long time and Chwee Meng Chong as the current director-general.
Ningpo Guild Singapore The guild was set up in 1934 by Hu Jialie, who served its first president and was later entrusted with this position for many terms. Under his support, the association has devoted itself to charities, gaining a high prestige among the Ningbonese in Singapore. Chwee Koo Chong, Zhu Zhemin, Gu Baoqing, Cui Juechen and Chwee Meng Chong served as its presidents one after another and Zhu Keyong is its current chairman.
5) Ningbonese Associations in America
Sam Kiang Association of East America The association was set up in New York in 1929 by Chinese Americans from Zhejiang, Jiangsu and Jiangxi. As a permanent establishment, it has committed to acts of charity and promotion of connections between overseas Chinese and China. San Yan Wong and Chen Zhifei, natives of Ningbo, once served as its chairman.
Ningbo Solidarity in East America Set up in New York by Yu Zhongren in 1995, the solidarity mainly consists of Chinese students and middle-aged and young Chinese Americans in East America.
NewYork Ningbo Association Inc. The association was established in November 1999 by some Ningbonese in America. Currently, it has more than 100 members and San Yan Wong is the president.
Jiangsu and Zhejiang Association of Canada The association was established in Vancouver in November 1987 by Chinese from Jiangsu, Zhejiang and Shanghai. It aims at promoting unity, mutual help, cooperation, preservation of Chinese culture and tradition, and provision of service for society, and send people to China for trade fairs and other social activities occasionally. Shi Xiwu, a native of Ningbo, was once its president.
6) Ningbonese Associations in Europe
The Chinese Association in Hamburg It was set up in Hamburg in 1929 by Chen Jilin, a native of Yinxian. Its early members were mainly sailors, but came to include overseas Chinese of all professions in Hamburg and foreign friends over 18 years of age. While aiming at promoting Sino-Deutsch relationship, it has also committed to maintaining local Chinese cemeteries, founding schools for Chinese children, and providing services for fellow Chinese. Chen Jilin and Chen Shunqing were former presidents and Chen Minghao has been the president since 1995.
Ningbo Association of Germany The association was founded in Hamburg in March 1998 by Chen Minghao, an honorary citizen of Ningbo. It aims at promoting friendly contacts, serving the hometown, and striving for mutual benefits. Chen Minghao is the current president and Yao Shaoqiu the honorary president.
Association for the Promotion of Ningbo Economic Construction October 18, 1988 witnessed the founding of the Association for the Promotion of Ningbo Economic Construction (APNEC), also called the Fraternity Association of Overseas Ningbonese. It is a non-profit and voluntary organization in Ningbo, whose members are Ningbonese at home and abroad, and people who concern and support the development of Ningbo. Ever since then, a large number of similar organizations have been set up in cities like Beijing, Shanghai, Tianjin, and Wuhan.
3. Ambition Inherited from the Same Blood
Ningbo businessmen left Ningbo to venture in Shanghai, Hankou, Hong Kong, or even foreign countries. Now they have solid undertakings all over the world. Within these undertakings, there emerge a special group of people “with the same blood and root”, creating a large number of well-known entrepreneurial families. Their business operations in a field or among several fields often demonstrate a great superiority of family capital and management advancement.
