by Im Fong Liu, with thanks to Ed van der Feer
When you think of the Chinese-Dutch community, you quickly think of the iconic cuisine, cultural festivities and successful entrepreneurs. Behind these visible expressions are countless associations and organizations that form the backbone of the community. After previous articles on cultural, business and intercultural associations, we conclude this four-part series with a look at the activist and social associations – groups that both offer support and bring joy.
Activist and social associations and more
Activist and social associations are all about involvement and connection. They focus on elderly care, youth, sports and welfare, and combine social impact with a warm, accessible atmosphere. From mahjong afternoons and music gatherings to table tennis and campaigns for more diversity: these are initiatives that bring the community together. Student, welfare, sports and religious associations are also part of this.
A good example is the Tien Yan Netherlands Foundation, which supports the elderly in the Chinese community with welfare activities and social gatherings. Not only with practical help, but also with moments of joy and connection – exactly what makes a community stronger.
Activism
Asian Raisins
Since March 2020, this has been one of the leading organizations in combating racism against East and Southeast Asian people in the Netherlands. There is collaboration with volunteers from the three programs Storytelling, Action and Community. The programmes show, prevent, identify and act on racist incidents within the East and Southeast Asian communities in the Netherlands and create an environment where people from these communities can come together. The objective of the association is an equal, representative, inclusive and ultimately racism-free Netherlands.
Website: https://asianraisins.nl/
Email info@asianraisins.nl
Pan Asian Collective PAC
Stories of Asian people in the Netherlands come in countless types, flavors and colors. In a world where differences seem greater than ever, PAC connects with stories that are an ode to the many Asian identities. Until October 19, 2025, the PAC exhibition ‘Unapologetically Asian, Ode to the Asian Woman’ can still be viewed in the Amsterdam city archives.
Website: https://pac.tv/
Email: info@pac.tv
More than Babi Pangang
The More than Babi Pangang Foundation was founded in 2018. This is a platform in which the discovery, development, production, guidance and promotion of various creatives, in the broadest sense of the word, from the Asian community is central. This website shows the diversity of the Chinese-Indonesian community in the Netherlands, by sharing personal stories from the shared past, experiences from the present and vision of the future, a wide audience gains insight into the rich cultures of these communities.
Website: www.meerdanbabipangang.nl
Email: info@meerdanbabipangang.nl
Uyghur Cultural Center
The Uyghur Culture and Information Center in Haarlem strives for a world in which everyone is equal and treated equally, regardless of ethnicity, religion or political opinion. This goal can be achieved by showing empathy and solidarity and standing up for the millions of Uyghurs imprisoned in Chinese prison camps.
Website: https://www.uyghurcultuurcentrum.com/
Email: info@uyghurcultuurcentrum.com
Asian Heritage Foundation
The Asian Heritage The Netherlands foundation is committed to raising awareness of the position of Chinese Dutch by providing information, organizing information meetings and producing visual material, such as photos and films.
Website: https://www.asianheritage.eu/
Email: asianheritage.nl@gmail.com
Coziness
Asian Borrel Club
ABC, a non-profit student association in Amsterdam, aims to become the embodiment of Dutch Asian ‘coziness’ by creating unforgettable experiences.
Website: https://www.asianborrelclub.nl/
Email: info@asianborrelclub.nl
Chinese Women’s Association Ho-Yin
Ho Yin represents the interests of Chinese women in Amsterdam and the surrounding area. This association organizes informative meetings, workshops, excursions and courses.
Website: https://www.spe-amsterdam.nl/netwerk/chinese-vrouwenvereniging-ho-yin/
Email: vhyho@hotmail.com
Phone: 06-22277032
Foundation Association of European Chinese Women in the Netherlands
This women’s association in Capelle aan de IJssel organizes events to promote the cultural and economic interests of Chinese women in the European Union. The foundation does not have its own website.
Email: guoxiu2008@gmail.com
Phone: 06-44026738
Sense Asian
What started as a hobby of the two Pham brothers in 2009 is now a successful venture. Sense Asian strives to bring all Asian young people in the Benelux together. To have fun, to network, to support each other and most importantly to give them a place to flourish and be proud of their Asian heritage. Because the Asian community is often very isolated, non-Asians are also invited to these events in order to offer the opportunity to get to know the Asian community. The Sense Asian family now has more than 100 members. It is a place they call home and where they feel safe.
Website: https://sense-asian.eu/
Email: info@sense-asian.eu
The Man Family Foundation in Europe
Connecting people with the surname Man within Europe.
Website: https://www.familieman.nl/en
Email: info@familieman.nl
Phone: +31 20 5286473
Wanyuan Foundation
This foundation is committed to strengthening social cohesion and understanding of Asian-Chinese Elderly in the Netherlands. With respect for their rich traditions and unique needs, Wanyuan wants to contribute to an inclusive and harmonious society where loneliness and isolation give way to positive interaction and decisive support.
Website: https://wanyuan.nl/
Email: info@wanyuan.nl
Phone: 088 6688999
Wenzhou Chinese in the Netherlands
Association of Wenzhou Chinese in the Netherlands is an organization that has been committed to Wenzhou residents living or visiting the Netherlands since 1995. This organization is a non-profit organization and communication center made up of Chinese people living in the Netherlands, regardless of their political affiliations or religious beliefs.
Website: https://wztxh.nl/en
Students
Association of Chinese Students and Scholars in Amsterdam (ACSSNL)
This association connects Chinese students and academics in Amsterdam and offers both academic and social support.
Website: https://acssnlams.wordpress.com/english/
Email: acss.adam@gmail.com
Chinese Student Association – Erasmus University Rotterdam
Student association in Rotterdam, which organizes events with China as a theme. Every year they have more than 40 social, educational, cultural and career related activities and events. The most important events are the annual study trip to China and the CSA-EUR Career Days.
Website: https://www.csa-eur.nl/
Well-being
Epic Therapy
Chen Thou Lin is a counseling psychologist who speaks Taiwanese, English, Dutch and Chinese.
Website: http://epictherapy.net/
Email: info@epictherapy.net
Phone: +31 616 228 772
Practice Nieuwe Keizersgracht
Psychology practice with Asian psychotherapist Ilse Chin.
Website: https://www.praktijknieuwekeizersgracht.nl/ilse-chin/
Phone: 020-6206132
Psychology practice ZhouZorg
Grace Zhou of ZhouZorg provides psychological help by a Chinese (Mandarin) speaking psychologist who also speaks Dutch and English, in the Amsterdam, Haarlem, Leiden and Utrecht region.
Website: www.zhouzorg.com
Phone: +31 640827458
Foundation WZCN Welfare Care Chinese Netherlands
The WZCN Foundation (founded in 2010) is a non-profit organization and is committed to improving the social position of the elderly in general and Chinese elderly in particular. By various activities in which a mix arises from multicultural exchange, social participation and getting the elderly out of isolation through active participation. Young people have a major role to play as volunteers.
Website: https://www.wzcn.nl/
Email: info@wzcn.nl
Tickle Your Heart
Elisa Ng is a career and burnout coach for people in their thirties.
Website: https://www.tickleyourheart.nl/
Email: info@tickleyourheart.nl
Hai An Hague Welfare
This is a well-being initiative from The Hague that offers free information, advice and help to
Chinese and Asian migrant workers in the Haaglanden region. A second target group is all people who work in the Chinese wellness industry in the Haaglanden region (including Delft, Gouda, Leiden and Zoetermeer). Also for people who do not have a sufficient command of the Dutch language, and who can speak Chinese, Indonesian or English.
Website: https://haian.nl
Email: info@halan.nl
For telephone contact every Monday to Thursday 10:00-17:00.
The Hague: 06-81881070 or 06-13247684
Gouda: 06-827 15951
Zoetermeer: 06-82040916
Yuan Jing Psychologist
Yuan Jing’s practice offers a wide range of psychological counseling in Dutch, English and Chinese.
Email: info@yuanjingpsycholoog.nl
Phone: 06-33205885 (by appointment)
Sport
Luk Hap Mon Martial Art Club
Luk Hop Moon Martial Club of Sifu Manlung Tang is a club annex gym in Groningen and Amsterdam. Lessons in authentic Chinese Kung Fu, Tai Chi and Dragon-Lion Dance. Both gyms are proud of the pleasant atmosphere and the focus is not only on sports and exercise, but also on dealing with each other and learning from each other. Aspects such as respect, appreciation and expression are very important to this martial arts club.
Website: https://www.lukhopmoon.nl/
Email: manlung@xs4all.nl
Phone: +31 (0) 681615918
Chinese Sports Federation
Non-profit Chinese Sports Federation (1985) stimulates sports among Chinese youth, adults and seniors in the Netherlands. Through sport, the federation wants to strengthen integration into Dutch society and cooperation among Chinese associations.
Website: www.chinesesportfederatie.nl
Religion
Chinese Christian Congregation in the Netherlands
Website: https://ccgn.nl/en/
Email: info@ccgn.nl
Phone: +31 6 41479787
Address: Westersingel 10 3014 GM Rotterdam
Address: Groen van Prinstererstraat 5, 6828 VW Arnhem
Chinese CAMA Municipality of Amsterdam
Church with Pastor Rick Wan
Website: http://www.cama4u.nl/cama4u/index.php/nl/
Email: info.cama4u@gmal.com
Address: 3e Oosterparkstraat 77 HS Amsterdam
Fung Loy Kok Taoist Tai Chi Centre Netherlands
Exercise with Tai Chi for everyone, throughout the Netherlands there are several locations, including in Helmond.
Website: https://www.taoisttaichi.org/
https://www.taoisttaichi.org/locations/helmond-taoist-tai-chi-centrum-nederland/
Telephone: +31 (0)492 769032
He Hua Temple
The Fo Guang Shan He Hua Temple on the Amsterdam Zeedijk is the largest temple in Europe, built in traditional Chinese palace style. The appearance is Chinese, but that does not alter the fact that Buddhism and its practice is universal and transcends all external characteristics and cultures. The temple is part of the IBPS. (International Buddhist Progress Society) and BLIA (Buddha’s Light International Association).
Website: https://ibps.nl/
Email: info@ibps.nl
Phone: 020 – 625 88 84
Address: Zeedijk 106-118
1012 BB Amsterdam
Longquan Temple of Great Compassion
A Chinese Buddhist monastery in Utrecht. This is the first European monastery, which was founded by Chinese Dutch people from various backgrounds.
Website: http://longquan.nl/
Email: longquannl@gmail.com
One Love Church
Senior Pastor Alan Chow is the pastor of this community church in The Hague.
Website: https://onelovechurchnl.org/
Email: Onelovechurch21@gmail.com
China Foundation
The China Foundation is an interdenominational organization that has been working in China since 1989 to support Christians in the Chinese house churches. This foundation also supports Bible schools, the realization of school projects, help for street children, support in church building and the support or setting up of diaconal projects.
Website: https://www.stichtingchina.nl/
Email: sbax@planet.nl
Phone: 06 24 88 98 20
With this last article, we round off our four-part series on Chinese associations in the Netherlands. Together, these associations offer an inspiring picture of how traditions, entrepreneurship, intercultural cooperation and social engagement contribute to a strong and connected community. They not only build bridges within the Chinese community, but also connect it with the wider Dutch society.
Do you know an inspiring association that has not been mentioned here? Let us know – we are open to your story!
Tips:
Local networks: Sometimes local communities or Chinese cultural centers can also help you get up-to-date information about active associations.
Website and social media: Many associations have an online presence, so by visiting their websites or Instagram/Facebook pages, you can see if any recent events or activities are being posted.
