Most immigrants would remit their savings back to their hometowns.
The amount remitted grew substantially after the Qing government legalized emigration and reached a peak during the Sino-Japanese War.
During World War II, however, Japan occupied much of Southeast Asia and remittances ceased. Stability did not come for Kinmen with the ending of the war and emigrants ceased to send their savings back their hometowns.
The whole point of the remittances, of course, was to allow the immigrants the chance to eventually return home to a comfortable retirement. Overseas Chinese sent letters with money drafts through a private postal agency called minhsinchu (
The minhsinchu not only delivered remittances, it helped spread the success stories of thousands of overseas Chinese and develop the dream of getting rich by going abroad. Nothing did more to inspire the emigration dream than the houses former immigrants built in their hometowns.
But the influence of emigration was felt in other ways when the merchants and laborers returned home. Besides a change in architectural styles, habits changed as well. This is when the first outhouses were built and other improvements in sanitation were made.
Clothing, much changed from the days of the Qing dynasty, became the Western suits merchants had worn abroad. Even the language changed. To this day, residents of Kinmen use the Malay word reun to mean "money."
The influence of emigration was felt in
education, too. Chinese who returned from overseas helped establish schools where their children would prepare to go abroad themselves by studying business and languages. In 1929, there were 25 elementary schools in Kinmen. By 1947, there were 53, built mostly with money remitted by communities of overseas workers and businessmen.
"The people of Kinmen are still emigrating," Lee said. "The sad difference is that they're not as concerned as their ancestors were about coming home."
How to get there:
Kinmen's Shuitou village is located on the southwest corner of Kinmen Island.
Accommodation:
If traveling to Shuitou Village, an interesting and comfortable choice of accommodations are the traditional Chinese courtyard-style houses that have been converted to bed and breakfast inns. Visit www.familyinn.idv.tw for more information, or call (082) 322 389.
Airlines:
Far Eastern Airline (082) 327 339, Transasia (082) 321 1501, Uni Airline (082) 324 481.
Tour buses:
Da Fu (082) 324 491, Nan Xing (082) 322 459. Kinmen Tourist Department: (082) 324 174 or http://tour.kinmen.gov.tw
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