The various Asian communities, almost upon arrival on U.S. soil, have formed community associations for mutual support and protection and to formally represent their community to the larger Euro-American society. Early formation of community associations is a keystone strategy which every Asian Pacific group has adopted as they arrived.

With the Chinese, the COMMUNITY ASSOCIATIONS, based on GEOGRAPHIC DISTRICTS in the homeland, are followed by associations based on FAMILY or CLAN NAME, OCCUPATION (e.g. Guilds of Laundry Workers), or on the basis of social and political INTERESTS and NEEDS (e.g. TONGS, fraternities, secret societies, Monarchy Reform Party or Revolutionary Party for overthrow of the Ching Dynasty, etc.).