The Council of South African Chinese Community and Police Cooperation Centre was officially launched on Sunday at Blackrock Casino.
Jonoy Zhuang, director of the council, said the organisation was created in an attempt to protect the Chinese community.
“As we know, security has been an issue for a long time. Crime has been escalating, especially in Newcastle and surrounding areas; towns which were once considered as safe. It is therefore important for us to stand together and work as a team to ensure this works.”
This follows the deaths of Meiying Gao-Chen, who was shot in her store last October, Hongwei Tang, a tourist from China, who was brutally gunned down just outside of Newcastle in March, and Xioming Zhang who was gunned down during a burglary at his factory.
Another Chinese resident was recently stabbed several times in front of his wife and baby, when men tried to rob his store.
“Upon the inception of the organisation, we looked to the Chinese Community Policing Forum (CPF) for assistance, as it has a system which we can implement and use. However, it was under the guidance of the Chinese Consulate General, the public and the Chinese community that the creation of South African Chinese Community and Police Cooperation was possible,” Mr Zhuang added.

In order for the organisation to succeed and promote interaction, it will have branches in Newcastle, Vryheid, Dundee, Nquthu, Bergville, Pomeroy, Ladysmith, Volksrust, oSizweni and Madadeni.
Kenoyi Chen, of the police council of the Chinese Embassy in Durban, thought the newly established council would contribute to minimising fatalities.
“The number of Chinese victims affected by violent crimes has reached double digits, and I am glad this initiative was started.
“It will help keep communications between Chinese residents, police and embassy clear and help people stay safe. Furthermore, it will also be able to help Chinese nationals who have just moved to the country abide by the law and help integrate them into the society.”