9781422277416

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Introduction

teachings have shaped the Chinese way of life. Confucianism says that family and loyalty are of utmost im- portance. Children must obey and care for their parents and other el- ders.Today,mostChinesemaintaina strongattachment totheirhomeland. Theybelieveinreveringtheirparents and honoring deceased ancestors. However, as poverty, wars, nat- ural disasters, and changes in gov- ernment affected various parts of

China, caring for family sometimes meantventuringout toforeignlands. Somepeoplelefttoseektheirfortunes elsewhere. Most intended to return home. Even thosewhostayedabroad maintained very close ties to their familyinChina.Theyalsocontinued to cookandeat food fromtheirhome regions. Foodhelpedmigrants feel at home in faraway lands.