Monuments by diaspora finally get recognition

They built America's railroads. They toiled in laundry shops and restaurants. They sent money back and built some of the sturdiest private homes in China. Yet, they did not have the good fortune to live in them.

They were part of China's diaspora, who made their money overseas, mostly in North America. They intended to come back home and spend their golden years in the villages they grew up. But wars and chaos prevented them from realizing this dream.

Most of these homes were built in the early 20th century in a part of Guangdong province known for its large number of emigrants. Kaiping and its vicinity have a diaspora population that rivals that of residents.