由于熟人社会网络的存在,从而使移民的成本与风险降低,甚至是身无分文的人也有远赴重洋谋生的可能。在旅居地由熟人形成的人际网络,也为新到移民提供了就业的机会;特别是商业拓展过程,熟人网络关系更扮演着重要的角色。这些由熟人社会关系形成的保障机制,让移民海外成为近代梅州地区人们普遍选择的谋生方式,也是侨乡社会形成的深层次原因。 Due to the existence of acquaintances’ social networks, the costs and risks of immigration are reduced. Even the penniless people have the possibility of going to the ocean to earn a living. Interpersonal networks formed by acquaintances in their places of residence also provide employment opportunities for newly arrived immigrants. Especially in the process of business expansion, the network of acquaintances plays an even more important role. These safeguards mechanisms formed by the acquaintances’ social relations make overseas immigrants a popular choice for people in Meizhou in modern times and are also the deep-seated reasons for the formation of overseas Chinese communities.