A tong (Chinese: 堂; pinyin: táng; Jyutping: tong4; Cantonese Yale: tòhng; lit. 'hall'): 53 is a type of organization found among Chinese immigrants predominantly living in the United States, with smaller numbers in Canada, Australia, and the United Kingdom. In Chinese, the word tong means "hall" or "gathering place". These organizations are described as secret societies or sworn brotherhoods and are often tied to criminal activity. In the 1990s, in most American Chinatowns, clearly marked tong halls could easily be found, many of which have had affiliations with Chinese organized crime.
These associations often provide services for Chinatown communities such as immigrant counseling, Chinese schools, and English classes for adults.: 48 Tongs follow the pattern of secret societies common to southern China...
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