Chad, Oct. 10 -- In Pennsylvania, the Allegheny River winds through Pittsburgh. Just east of the city lies the township of Plum, where Ronald Sakolsky, known to his Chinese friends as "Sai Kaosi," has called home for many years.

"Part of my heart is still in China," Sakolsky said, finding it difficult to hide how deeply he missed the country upon returning recently from a trip across the Pacific.

His living room is filled with mementos from his travels. The sofa is covered with photos he brought back from his trip, but his most treasured keepsake is a large cross-stitch embroidery presented to him by Yin Yuzhen. Green leaves symbolizing peace surround a globe, with China and the United States stitched in different colors. The Chinese ch...