www.chungsir.com.pa/ed54/sociedad-chung-san.html - It can be translated
Chung San Society of Panama
"2016 is the year in which the 90th Anniversary of the Chung San Charitable Society of Panama is celebrated. They have been years of extraordinary development and we are witnessing the innumerable contributions that our Chung San community and its descendants have given to various sectors of the country. "
C hung San (Zhongshan in Mandarin), formerly was known as Xiangshan, native land of the great Dr. Sun Yat-Sen (孙中山). After his death, in honor of him, Xiangshan was renamed Zhongshan, as it is now known. Chung San is a city-district of the province of Guangdong (Canton), to the south of China and is one of the districts where the majority of the first immigrants came to Panama.
The Chung San Charitable Society of Panama began in 1926, thanks to the efforts of Mr. Francisco Chan (陳吉潤) with the former headquarters of the former Guangdong Restaurant, Calle 12 Este, Barrio Chino. In 1957, the association is officially registered, with its founders and first directors: Saucho Yuen (壽 初 初) (President), Rogelio Chan, Alberto Chen, Emilio Chen, Benjamin Chen, Chen Man León and Santiago Chan.
After many years our association has remained strong and standing, having as one of its purposes, to be a direct link between the overseas peasants coming from the Chung San area, always offering social assistance and promoting the rapprochement of relations with The other Chinese associations.
In 1985, thanks to the great support of Don Carlos Lee (李劍), Don Fermín Chan (奉天 奉天), compatriots and the work of former President Víctor Chan (陳昆慶) (1978-1998), the building was inaugurated Of the current headquarters of the association, in Bella Vista. In the same year, Fermin Chan (奉天 奉天) founded the Panamanian Chinese Cultural Center [中巴 文心 中心], offering a trilingual education and the most complete educational curriculum to our children and our community, thus becoming the center of education Chinese largest in Central and South America, with 1700 students enrolled.
Mr. Luis Chong (華 康 康), during his term as President (1998-2004), led several delegations from Panama to participate in the various Chung San World Conventions.
Subsequently, David Chong (仲 山 山) was elected as President and was re-elected for three consecutive terms (2004-2013). During her presidency, the TV show "Zhongshan TV" was filmed in Panama, with the theme "Paisos de Chung San Abroad" (山 中人 人). 2007 was a memorable year. The collection of poetry [樓 集 集] by our ex-president Victor Chan (陳昆慶) was successfully published in a book distributed to our countrymen in Panama and around the world. In the same year an educational commitment was reaffirmed, when the Panamanian Chinese Cultural Center (中巴 文心 中心), Chung San School in Panama (中學校 學校) and the Sun Yat-Sen Memorial High School in Chung San City (紀 中學校), agree to consolidate as sister schools.
It is important to mention that there have been multiple visits to Chung San, with descendants of Panama, in search of their roots. We have witnessed emotional reunions, which will remain an unforgettable memory in the minds and hearts of those who have lived.
In 2013, César Siu (蕭紹基) assumed the presidency, being the first president born in Panama of Chinese descent. With the leadership of Mr. Siu, the Chung San Jr. Chapter was formed, formed by young people of Chung San ancestry born in Panama.
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According to the records we have of these last 50 years, we have proudly had Deputies, Mayors, Politicians, such as Luis Carlos Chen (鄭仲衡) (Deputy National Assembly), Victor Fong (方國勳), Pedro Siu (蕭瑞康), Jose Chen Barría (鄭道華), among others. We have also had descendants of Chung San working for the foreign service, such as graduates Leonardo Kam (林 林) and Any Lam (林錦珍), in China (駐 國 中貿易 發展 辦事處 辦事處) and licensed Itzel Chen (潔 如 如) in Hong Kong (駐 香港 經濟 及 商務 辦事處 辦事處).
Also worthy of mention is the work of our descendants of the third and fourth generation of Chungshans, including Berta Alicia Chen, a successful author of several books on the Chinese living in Panama, their culture and their history.
Over the years, Chung San's countrymen have dedicated themselves to different areas such as food (Panachina, Inter China, Lung Fung, Don Lee, King Kung, Golden Unicorn, Jumbo, Laichin, among others). Import and export, education, manufacturing and others.
All our Chungshan collaborators have stood out in different areas of our society as well as all those members who every year help to promote Chinese culture during the different celebrations and activities.
At present, our president is Mr. Felipe Lam (林華康) and has had the hard work of preparing the celebration of the 90th anniversary of the association.
With great pride we can say that a great number of people have provided their support during all this time and thanks to them we have achieved that the Chung San Charitable Society celebrates its 90th anniversary.
DAVID
By DAVID CHONG
Life President of the Chung San Society of Panama.