As the name implies, the Hwie Tiauw Ka Association is an association for residents from three districts, namely Hwie (Huizhou), Tiauw (Chaozhou), and Ka (Jiayingzhou, now named: Meizhou), which are located in the Chinatown, Surabaya city, East Java, Indonesia. The Association, which was originally the Guangdong Ash House, was founded in 1820 AD by Xu Hao, Zhan Man, Xian Yongcai and Peng Julong, with the aim of promote social welfare, and develop local trade and industry.

Formerly, the area around the Association’s office was called Pasar Bong (means: graveyard) and later changed its name to Jalan Slompretan. There was an Uncle Peng, who provided his house for the people to take shelter from the wind and rain when they swept the tomb during Qing Ming. Our predecessors spent 43 years renovating and building this ancestral shrine. This shows that the economic conditions were still weak at that time, but they had a very high spirit of togetherness and mutual cooperation.

For more than two hundred years, the Association has experienced many challenges, but with the fighting spirit and hard work of the committee and members, all of problems could be overcome. Until now, the Association has never moved from the original place, being the only and most historic Chinese Association in Indonesia that is still standing firmly in its original location, it is truly a miracle!

Around the 1990s, it was felt that the operation of the Association was out of date. Based on the decision of the general meeting of members, the Foundation was dissolved, and a new management board system was formed. The Association is developing well, and getting stronger. 

Entering the reform era, the Association’s activities are increasing. In order to have a more comfortable activity space, with the help of the sponsors, in 2009, two three-story shophouses were purchased and renovated into a four-story building as an activity center. In December 2010, along with the celebration of the 190th anniversary, a very simple ribbon-cutting ceremony was held, and the activity center was officially put into use.

The Committee never forgets the original purpose of establishing the Association, and all divisions try their best to develop various activities. All members get along well, and help each other, actively involve in social welfare, try to create a harmonious society, and keep trying to inherit and develop their own culture.