After the Opium Wars of the 19th century, the Qing government was forced to open five treaty ports along the Chinese coast. Among these, Xiamen, with its proximity to Kinmen, attracted many Kinmen residents who sought their fortunes in Southeast Asia, many beginning as coolies but slowly earning money and building businesses.
19 世紀鴉片戰爭後，清朝政府被迫開放「五口通商」，商埠之一的廈門與金門咫尺相隔，吸引了大批金門人遠赴南洋，先從苦力做起，慢慢再攢錢經商。