Overseas Chinese Organisation (OCO)
The Overseas Chinese Organisation is a comprehensive Chinese based organisation providing information concerned with the rights of Chinese workers, students, immigrants and their families.
It aims to promote harmonization of relationships between the two nations by:
- Creating and sustaining a stable and prosperous Chinese community in Ireland.
- Allowing the Chinese community to understand Irish law and culture.
- Working together to build a better diversified Irish society.
Exclusive services for OCO Ireland members include:
- Work: Information provision on employment rights and advice in the case of unfair treatment (dismissal, unfair payment and wages, etc).
- Study: Advice and resources on college admissions and the higher educational system.
- Daily Life: A translation service and general information desk assisting clients with issues of visa applications, finding accommodations, job hunting, travel, etc.
- Business: Discounted stores.
In addition, OCO Ireland undertakes several nation-wide endeavours such as Chinese to English and English to Chinese translation services, the provision of promotion channels for marketing, business partnerships and marketing research.
Country Information
Country Facts
China is the world's most populous country, with a continuous culture stretching back nearly 4,000 years. Many of the elements that make up the foundation of the modern world originated in China, including paper, gunpowder, credit banking, the compass and paper money. China now has the world's fastest-growing economy and is undergoing what has been described as a second industrial revolution. The country is governed by the Communist Party, under President Hu Jintao. In 2008, Beijing, the capital of the People's Republic of China, played host to the 2008 Summer Olympics.
Chinese culture is one of the world's oldest and most complex. Today, there are 56 distinct ethnic groups, of which Han Chinese are the most predominant. Many different and distinct dialects of Chinese are spoken but Mandarin is the official language of the Chinese government. Dialects such as Cantonese are more widely spoken in the southern regions, such as Hong Kong. Modern cultural values are influenced by traditional Chinese value systems such as Confucianism, Taoism and Buddhism. China has a long tradition of the fine arts; classics of Chinese literature include the I Ching and Shujing. Quite famously, China is also the birthplace of several forms of Eastern martial arts, including kung fu.
Chinese traditions have made their mark on world society. The cuisine of China is particularly renowned around the world. Chinese concepts and traditions such as yin and yang (balancing opposite forces), qi (the life force), and feng shui (aesthetics) have become widespread. Vibrant Chinese holidays, such as the Chinese Lunar New Year even in Ireland, the Lantern Festival and the Moon festival are celebrated with pomp and fanfare not only in East Asia but also by the overseas Chinese communities in Europe and North America.