By Im Fong Liu, with thanks to Ed van der Feer
Introduction to this four-part series
The first Chinese communities settled in the Netherlands more than a century ago. What once began with a group of Peranakan-Chinese students and dockworkers from Hong Kong and China has grown into a diverse community, spread throughout the country.
Today, the influence of the Chinese community in the Netherlands is visible everywhere; from the unique Chinese-Indonesian cuisine as cultural heritage and authentic Chinese restaurants, to cultural initiatives such as Pete Wu’s book The Banana Generation, which has become a successful touring theatre production, and organisations such as the Pan Asian Collective, which advocates for Asian representation in the Netherlands. These developments illustrate the power of community spirit and the ability to build connections between diverse communities in the Netherlands.
In this four-part series, we highlight its versatility as expressed through associations, divided into four categories: cultural, business, intercultural, and activist and social clubs. This issue begins with cultural associations.
Part 1: Cultural Associations
Cultural foundations and associations form the core of the Chinese community in the Netherlands, with the main goal of sharing and preserving the rich culture; they form a bridge between generations and cultures. Traditions, language, and heritage are cherished and actively passed on to future generations and those interested in the Chinese-Dutch community.
A lively gathering depicted
Imagine a cultural afternoon in a community centre in Arnhem or The Hague. Families gather to discover the culture of their ancestors. Children learn classics like Go and Chinese chess, while friends share stories around a table full of dim sum.
Cultural associations offer more than just conviviality. They form a bridge between generations and cultures, and provide a stage for rich Chinese traditions.
This overview presents a selection of cultural, educational, and senior associations in alphabetical order, with a description of their general objectives and activities.
Chinese Cultural Centre Netherlands (CCCN)
The Chinese Cultural Centre Netherlands offers cultural events, language courses, and workshops in traditional Chinese arts. CCCN also organises the annual Chinese New Year festival in The Hague.
Website: www.ccchague.org/nl
Email: info@ccchague.org
Phone: 070 792 0028
Chinese New Year Association Netherlands (CNSV)
CNSV organises the annual Chinese New Year festival with parades, dance, and culinary experiences in The Hague.
Website: www.chineesnieuwjaar-denhaag.nl/
Hua Yi Xie Shang Hui (HYXSH)
HYXSH was founded in 1987 and has members in the Netherlands, Belgium, and Germany. This foundation organises activities around Chinese holidays for the whole family. The Chinese New Year celebration is one of the regular, (largest) annual, and traditional festivals where all members of this association come together. They also organise an annual activity for Qing Ming. Other activities include lectures, outings, and trips.
Website: www.huayixieshanghui.nl
Email: info@huayixieshanghui.nl
China Festivals Rotterdam Foundation
This foundation organises cultural events and festivals in Rotterdam.
Website: rcny.nl/stichting/
Reachable via contact form.
The Chinese Bridge Foundation (Stichting de Chinese Brug)
The Chinese Bridge focuses on the Chinese community in The Hague and offers care with attention, connected to Chinese culture.
Website: www.chinesebrug.nl
Email: info@chinesebrug.nl
“Wa Lai” Foundation Centre for Culture and Development of Chinese in the Netherlands
Social and cultural meeting centre in De Pijp for Chinese and other residents in Amsterdam.
Website: www.walai.nl
Email: chineescentrumwalai@gmail.com
Chinese School Fayin Amsterdam
This Amsterdam school helps Chinese people in the Netherlands to maintain the Chinese language and also offers Dutch people the opportunity to learn Chinese.
Website: www.fayin.nl
Email: info@fayin.nl
Phone: 06 30062720 (Saturdays only)
Chinese Education Centre Netherlands (CON)
This institution offers modernised Chinese education in Almere, Amersfoort, Amsterdam, and Utrecht. Additionally, CON organises summer camps in China.
Website: www.chineesvoorkinderen.nl
Email: info@chineesvoorkinderen.nl
Phone: 06 2558 8000
Foundation for Chinese Education in the Netherlands (SCON)
The Dutch Chinese Education Association supports more than 20 Chinese schools in the Netherlands and trains teachers.
Website: www.chineesonderwijs.nl
Address: Oltmansstraat 20, 3842 ZX Harderwijk
Email: info@chineesonderwijs.nl
Phone: 06-54342826
Confucius Institute Netherlands
A centre for language education and cultural exchanges between China and the Netherlands, located in Groningen, Amsterdam, and Maastricht.
Website: www.confuciusgroningen.nl
Website: www.confuciusmaastricht.nl
Email: info@confuciusgroningen.nl
Phone: +31 50 307 01 02
Email: info@confuciusmaastricht.nl
Phone: +31 (0)43 34 66 600
Keats Chinese
Since 2004, the Kunming Chinese school has offered an all-inclusive study and living environment in the centre of Kunming, China. In addition to 60 classrooms, a fitness centre, and a cafeteria, this school also has 54 student rooms. It offers both group classes and individual Chinese language lessons for foreign students of all ages. The qualified teachers are bilingual in Mandarin and English.
https://keatschinese.com/nl/chinese-language-courses/intensive-one-on-one-chinese-classes/
Email: info@keatschinese.com
Foundation General Chinese School Utrecht (ACSU)
Education in Chinese for children and adults at various locations in Haarlem, The Hague, Leiden, Hengelo, Arnhem, Groningen, Leeuwarden, and Zwolle.
Website: www.ascu.nl
Email: lizabeiguo@gmail.com
Phone: +31 (0)6 55807051
Foundation Chinese Education in the Netherlands
The Foundation Chinese Education in the Netherlands was established in 2013 with the aim of promoting the Chinese language and disseminating Chinese culture and values. They focus primarily on the framework conditions, finances, facilities, and training of directors and teachers.
Website: http://fcen.org/
Email: info@fcen.org
Phone: 070-3912732
The Hague Chinese School Foundation (Stichting Haagse Chinese School)
The Hague Chinese School offers education to Chinese children in The Hague at the Christelijk Lyceum Zandvliet.
Address: Bezuidenhoutseweg 40, 2594 AW The Hague
Website: https://st-hcs.org/NL/nl_introductie.html
Email: info@st-hcs.org
Phone: 070-3912732 or 06-53360241
Associations for seniors
De Vriendschap (The Friendship)
De Vriendschap, founded in 1989 by the Peranakan Chinese community (Chinese from Indonesia) in the Amstelveen-Amsterdam region, is an open association with no political or religious aims and is financially independent. Its objective is focused on maintaining and expanding mutual ties. Website: https://www.verenigingdevriendschap.nl/over-ons/
Email: info@verenigingdevriendschap.nl
Ka Fook Mansion
Ka Fook Mansion is a residential community for Chinese elderly in an old school complex, realised by SOR (Stichting Ouderenhuisvesting Rotterdam – Rotterdam Elderly Housing Foundation). Besides the residential complex, this is also a meeting centre.
Website: www.sor.nl
Email: contact@sor.nl
Phone: 010- 444 55 55
Foe Ooi Leeuw Foundation
The Foe Ooi Leeuw Foundation aims to facilitate housing for Chinese elderly, focused on independent living in a familiar environment, with or without professional support for care and assistance. In Amsterdam, there is a residential complex with 54 independent homes for Chinese elderly with a communal meeting space under one roof.
Website: https://www.foeooileeuw.nl/
Address: Valkenburgerstraat 193A, 1011 MJ Amsterdam
Email: info@foeooileeuw.nl
Tien Yan Netherlands Foundation
A platform for Chinese Dutch people to develop talents and help each other in Dutch society.
Website: https://www.tienyan.nl/
Email: info@tienyan.nl
Phone: 06-42402781
Residential Care Centre De Boomgaard
A living environment for Chinese-speaking seniors to participate independently in society for as long as possible, in a self-chosen manner.
Website: www.mob.nu
Phone: 010 476 08 18
Email: info@mob.nu
Tips:
Do you know an inspiring association that is missing here? Contact us – we would love to hear your story!
Part 2 will cover business organisations and associations.
Local networks:
Sometimes local communities or Chinese cultural centres can also help you obtain 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 recent events or activities are posted.
