BANGKOK, July 5 (Xinhua) -- "Ever since I was old enough to remember, I've known I was raised on 'qiaopi,'" an overseas Chinese community leader has said.

Li Jiachun (also known as Chun Pailindeelert in Thai), president of the Thai Chinese New Generation Business Association, illustrated the homeland sentiment carried by "qiaopi" -- transnational remittance letters, and the spirit of mutual assistance among overseas Chinese in a recent interview with Xinhua in Bangkok.

As a third-generation overseas Chinese born in the 1970s, Li was literally "raised on 'qiaopi.'" The experience of his forebears sailing to Thailand and his childhood memories of surviving on "qiaopi" echo plots featured in China's hit film "Dear You."

About a century ago, millions of people from Chaoshan (Teochew), plagued by harsh living conditions, ventured overseas to earn a living. Those who gained a firm foothold overseas would always lend a hand to their folks back home.

Following in the footsteps of fellow townsfolk, Li's grandfather traveled all the way to Thailand. "Since then, my grandfather labored diligently all his life. Most of his earnings were continuously sent back to our hometown in Chaoshan to support the entire family," Li recalled.

Unlike Zheng Musheng, who lost his life in a foreign land in the film, Li's uncle was far more fortunate. Taking over his father's business in Thailand, he sent "qiaopi" back home every month. During festivals, weddings and other major family events, he would send large sums of money and even gold to support his relatives.

In the late 1970s, Li, as a young boy, witnessed his uncle returning home carrying sacks of scarce goods, including pork, biscuits and soap. In an era of material shortages, these overseas supplies sustained the whole family's stable life.

Much like scenes from the film, overseas Chinese never hesitate to lend a hand to their fellow countrymen. Li often heard the elders recount how remittance agencies regularly extended credit to those who came to send "qiaopi."

"Many people would tell the remittance agencies they hadn't received their wages that month, asking them to send 'qiaopi' home first with just a signature as a promise to pay later. Yet the remittance agencies would reply that no signature was needed -- just settle the debt later."

In the 1990s, Li set out to build a career in Thailand himself and received extensive support from local Chinese communities, which laid the bedrock for his business.

"I would not be who I am today without the help of earlier overseas Chinese," he said. "When I was running my business, local Chaoshan merchants extended unsecured credit to me, purely based on our family's long-standing reputation. This invisible wealth of trust passed down from generation to generation has been the most vital driving force behind my success."

Times have changed, yet a new generation of overseas Chinese continues the tradition of giving back to their ancestral homeland.

"The monetary value of donations matters less than conveying the sentiment of standing together with my homeland through thick and thin," he noted.

In addition to his deep attachment to his ancestral homeland, Li has never forgotten his second home, Thailand, which has given him room to grow professionally.

As a member of the new generation of overseas Chinese, he believes it is his responsibility to help Thai people better understand China in ways that resonate with them, Li said.

To that end, he works tirelessly to arrange study tours and business matchmaking events in China for young Thai Chinese, seeking to strengthen cooperation between China and Thailand, he said.