In the middle 1800s news came from the other side of the sea that goldmine was found in California, US and Australia. Afterwards the gold rush happened to Xiangshan from which a large number of young men constantly shipped over the Pacific Ocean to the “Gold Mountain”. And gradually they became rich with their determination and hard work. They are probably the first overseas Chinese.

Xiangshan people seized a great opportunity and created more opportunities. When it came to the end of Qing Dynasty and the beginning of the Republic of China those successes of overseas Chinese went back with their money and started business. Ma Yingbiao, the Guo Le brothers, the Cai Chang brothers, Li Minzhou and Liu Xiji successively set up four large department stores , which marked the beginning of department stores in China. From revolution led by Sun Yat-sen to the later Anti-Japanese War, overseas Chinese of Xiangshan stepped in tide of time with the spirit of patriotism, saving our nation and returning to our nation. Even at present over 800,000 overseas Chinese and Chinese-foreigners and Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan compatriots of Zhongshan help to develop their original hometown with their full patriotic enthusiasm.

The present Zhongshan City has been a famous hometown of overseas Chinese. During the over 20 years of reform and opening to the outside, overseas Chinese of Zhongshan have donated about 1.2 billion Yuan in the development of schools, hospitals, the Home of the Aged, roads, bridges, and cultural facilities as well projects of educational funds.

Overseas Chinese of Zhongshan have offered infinite supports to undertakings of their hometown in the past years.

Deep love to the hometown and patriotic hearts shines like the flickering stars in gentle sky up high, starring and fluttering..

The Worldwide Zhongshan Association Convention

1. The First Worldwide Zhongshan Association Convention
?Zhongshan Guild Association in Malaysia held The First Worldwide Zhongshan Association Convention in Kuala Lumpur in order to promote the communication, understanding and commercial cooperation of overseas Zhongshanese on Sep. 14 and 15, 1996. In this conference it was passed that the Worldwide Zhongshan Association Convention should be reopened every two years.

2. The Second Worldwide Zhongshan Association Convention
?The Second Worldwide Zhongshan Association Convention was held in Hong Kong by Zhongshan Society Association in Hong Kong on Oct. 21 to 24, 1998.

3. The Third Worldwide Zhongshan Association Convention
    The Third Worldwide Zhongshan Association Convention was held in Honolulu on Sep. 23 and 24, 2000.

4. The Fourth Worldwide Zhongshan Association Convention
    The Fourth Worldwide Zhongshan Association Convention was held in Zhongshan on Nov. 9 to 11, 2002.

5. The Fifth Worldwide Zhongshan Association Convention
     The Fifth Worldwide Zhongshan Association Convention was held in Darling Harbor of Sydney, Australia on Oct. 6 to 8, 2004.
??
Zhongshan is more known to the outside world through the Worldwide Zhongshan Association Convention, which has made overseas Zhongshanese know more about their hometown and which has strengthened the tie of Zhongshanese in favor of all-round development of Zhongshan, including economy, education, culture, public cause, foreign communication, etc.