Chee Kung Tong

The Chee Kung Tong (Chinese: 致公堂; Jyutping: zi3 gung1 tong4), or Gee Kung Tong, was a Chinese secret society established in 1880 and holds an active presence still. In earlier years, the society has also been recognized as the "Chinese Masons" and has been identified under various names such as Hongmen (Chinese: 洪門), Hongshuntang (Chinese: 洪順堂), and Yixingtang (Chinese: 義興堂). The fraternity founded its headquarters in San Francisco in the United States.^[1] Additionally, there came to be a branch located in Victoria on Canada's Vancouver Island. ^[2]

Chee Kung Tong building at 36–38 Spoffard Alley in Chinatown, San Francisco, California

History

The Chee Kung Tong was established as an all-male fraternity with the purpose of promoting Chinese values, customs, and the ideals of democracy, within a tight-knit network of brotherhood that has ties dating back over three hundred years prior in China. The society is considered the oldest Chinese-rooted organization established in the United States.^[3]

The Chee Kung Tong are most recognized for their political support of Sun Yat-sen, who is considered the founding father of the Republic of China. Sun Yat-Sen began a campaign to overthrow the Manchu rulers of the Qing Dynasty. In 1904, a meeting took place between The Chee Kung Tong and Sun Yat-Sen in Hawaii. The purpose of the meeting was to rally nationalist support for a future revolution that would take place in 1911.The society also assisted in Sun Yat-Sen's campaign throughout the United States.^[4] The building at 36–38 Spoffard Alley in San Francisco, California had served as the temporary home for Sun Yat-sen while he lived in exile.^[5]

Conflicts

In San Franciso, the Chee Kong tong, like many of the tongs in that time period, found themselves at odds with other Chinese societies. "Two of the more notorious rivals to the Chee Kong tong were the Gee Sin Seer and the Bo Sin Seer... As far as the press could determine, the Bo Sin Seer was controlled by men who kept legitimate grocery stores as well as illicit fan-tan and bawdy houses, while the Gee Sin Seer was under the rule of entrepreneur Little Pete."^[2]

See also

• Chee Kung Tong Society Building in Maui; NRHP-listed
• China Zhi Gong Party – mainland Chinese political party which grew out of the society
• For Public Good Party – minor political party in Taiwan