In the film Dear You, qiaopi — letters with remittance certificates sent home by overseas Chinese — brings to life memories and love for family and homeland across oceans and generations on screen.

That same emotion once moved President Xi Jinping during his visit to a museum dedicated to qiaopi in Shantou, Guangdong province, in 2020.

In the museum's exhibition hall, Xi carefully examined the old letters and listened to stories about how they were written, transported, delivered and replied to.

"These letters recorded the strenuous efforts of the old generation of overseas Chinese and their profound love for the hometown and the motherland, and embodied the credibility and integrity of the Chinese nation," Xi said during the visit.

Overseas Chinese endured enormous hardships abroad, yet still sent every dime they could save back home after gaining a firm foothold, Xi said after the visit. "It represents the Chinese people, Chinese culture, Chinese spirit and Chinese heart."