[NTDTV, Beijing time on August 29, 2022]Hosted by the New York Mets of Major League Baseball and entering its 17th year in 2022, the “Mets Taiwan Day” event will be held on the afternoon of August 28. New York’s Citi Field debut.
The Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in New York, the Taiwanese overseas group “Hello Taiwan”, the New York Taiwan Chamber of Commerce, and the Youth Chamber of Commerce were invited to participate in this annual event. A number of ROC officials to the United Nations, international friends, U.S. congressmen and local dignitaries also attended.
The purpose of the event is to “make friends with the ball” and “connect Taiwan and the world” through baseball. More than 30,000 fans attended the venue, setting a record for the highest theme day ticket admission in the past 10 years.
Taiwan Day is the MLB’s oldest and largest Taiwanese cultural event. This year, the big screen of the stadium broadcast the pre-recorded words of President Tsai Ing-wen of the Republic of China to the fans for the third consecutive time, which kicked off the Taiwan Day.
Tsai Ing-wen thanked all walks of life in the United States for showing their firm friendship and donating 4 million doses of vaccine in time to help Taiwan tide over the difficulties. Now that Taiwan and the United States baseball fans can return to the stadium to enjoy the game, it is the result of mutual aid and cooperation between Taiwan and the United States. She also introduced Taiwan’s unique baseball culture to the audience, as well as “Taiwan Captain” Cha Cha, who kicked off for Taiwan Day.
This year, the Met has invited Peng Zhengmin, the “Taiwan Captain” who has served as the captain of the Taiwan National Baseball Team for many times and is familiar to baseball fans, as the guest of honor for the Taiwan Day kick-off.
Li Guangzhang, director of the Department of Classics, said, “The captain of Taiwan is the perfect tee-off candidate for Taiwan Day. It is precisely because he has spent most of his career working hard for Taiwan on clay, which reflects the indomitable fighting spirit of the Taiwanese people. It is Taiwan’s indomitable fighting spirit. The bravery and resilience of the people have won us a lot of respect and friendship in the international arena, making them willing to stand up and stand with the resilient island of democracy, Taiwan.”
American dignitaries who were invited to attend the Met Taiwan Day today include New York State Congressman Nicole Malliotakis, Andrew Garbarino, New York State Congressman David Weprin, and New York City Councilman Linda Lee.
The big screen also broadcast the short film “Taiwan Running with the World”, the first prize of the 2021 “National Tide Taiwan” by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of China, to introduce Taiwan to the fans. The film emphasizes that on the land of Taiwan, different ethnic groups, cultures, and beliefs are inclusive. Taiwanese people love freedom and pursue democracy. Taiwanese people will continue to run and meet the world with the warmth of this land.
This year, the Taiwanese overseas group “Hello Taiwan” once again cooperated with the Mets to launch a limited-edition commemorative jersey with a blue background and orange edges printed with the words “Taiwan No.1” based on the representative colors of the Mets. Fans responded enthusiastically and set off a frenzy to buy jerseys. After multiple overweights to 4,750 pieces, all were sold out. More than 4,000 Taiwanese compatriots and Americans from all over the United States and Canada put on their jerseys and held the Republic of China flag in the audience to cheer for Taiwan and the Mets.
Li Guangzhang said, “This year, Taiwanese baseball players shined in the Colts Junior Baseball Championship and the Williamsport World Junior Baseball Championship. Because of baseball, the hearts of foreigners at home and abroad are tightly united; The world has proven itself. Thanks to the New York Mets for continuing to organize Taiwan Day, allowing us to let American fans know about a free and democratic Taiwan through a sport that the people of Taiwan and the United States love.”
This year, the inside and outside of the stadium are full of “Taiwan flavor”. Taiwanese violinist Lin Weiyang will play the American national anthem before the game. A Taiwan tourism promotion booth will also be set up outside the stadium. Huitang also brought the “Three Princes” performance. By incorporating elements of Taiwanese folk culture and other elements, the event is marketed in Taiwan and attracts fans to know about the rich and diverse Taiwan.
(Editor in charge: Yun Tao)
URL of this article: https://www.ntdtv.com/gb/2022/08/29/a103513602.html
