Most of the earnings derived from transfer payments, either pensions or remittances from non-resident relations.
Once they marry and have their own children with them abroad, remittances to parents decrease sharply.
They bought food using non-farm earnings and remittances.
At the household level, remittances make the difference between poverty and a tolerable standard of living.
The total remittances to the qiaoxiang has always been difficult to assess but indications point to substantial sums entering the qiaoxiang.
There are no remittances or help of any kind from their parents.
Since then, remittances have continued to be sent, and are allocated among the siblings according to the choices of their father.
The remittances derived from family members working elsewhere form an important source of income for many households.
