by Xinhua writers Geng Lingnan, Lin Shuting
BANGKOK, July 3 (Xinhua) -- The spirit of "qiaopi," the unique cultural heritage portrayed in China's heartfelt hit film "Dear You," lies in patriotism and devotion to family, an overseas Chinese community leader has said.
Drawing on more than seven decades of life memories, Lin Chuqin (also known as Narongsak Putthapornmongkol in Thai), president of the Thai-Chinese Chamber of Commerce, elaborated on the spiritual essence behind "qiaopi" -- letters and remittances sent home by overseas Chinese, in a recent interview with Xinhua in Bangkok.
Lin was born in Thailand, where his forebears scraped out a living through manual labor. Despite modest incomes, they would send at least half of their earnings back to their hometown in the Chaoshan (Teochew) region in south China via "qiaopi," Lin said.
"Life was tough back then in our hometown, and making money in Thailand was no easy feat either. After my parents migrated to Thailand, they never stopped sending 'qiaopi' back," he recalled.
Putting family first and longing for the homeland is an innate cultural trait etched in the Chinese blood, as well as a principle upheld by generations of Chaoshan people, Lin said.
"During the Chinese New Year, we children waited eagerly for red envelopes, yet my parents prioritized sending 'qiaopi' first before doling out pocket money," he added.
Lin still keeps photocopies of two "qiaopi," whose originals are now collected by museums in China. Both "qiaopi" were sent by his father to his nephew in Chenghai, Shantou, in the 1990s. One confirmed that money had been sent to cover expenses for a family celebration, while the other urged the family members to avoid disputes with neighbors.
"Tears well up in my eyes every time I look at 'qiaopi,'" Lin said, adding that they always remind him of his parents' teachings to never forget their roots.
The spiritual essence embodied in "qiaopi" can be summed up with these keywords: patriotism and devotion to family, said Lin, who now passes on this spirit through his own deeds.
"I frequently bring my children back to China, letting them know that the once underdeveloped hometown has transformed completely beyond recognition," he said.
In the years before China and Thailand established diplomatic relations, returning to hometown was a tough journey, requiring transit via Hong Kong, with a one-way trip taking more than 10 hours, Lin recalled. Today, thanks to an extensive transport network connecting the two countries, he is able to travel back to China multiple times annually, witnessing urban and rural China taking on completely new looks.
"In the old days, we would haul bulky luggage full of supplies when returning home. Nowadays, our hometown has prospered, and relatives no longer rely on financial support from overseas. Yet we still cherish every chance to go back for visits," he noted.
Meanwhile, China's rapid development has brought unprecedented dignity and confidence to overseas Chinese, Lin emphasized. "A strong motherland stands as the most solid backing for overseas Chinese."
Lin has high expectations for the upcoming release of "Dear You" in Thailand. In his words, the film faithfully recreates the unique clan culture of Chaoshan and the history of "qiaopi."
Lin said he plans to organize local overseas Chinese to watch the film, hoping to help younger generations understand the patriotism and hometown sentiment behind "qiaopi," and enable the spirit of mutual assistance among overseas Chinese to be continuously inherited in the new era. ■
