Taiwan's President Lai Ching-te recently celebrated the island's baseball team's victory at an international championship in Japan. This rare sporting achievement has sparked a significant surge of pride among Taiwanese. Taiwan competes at global sports events under the name "Chinese Taipei" to avoid political issues with Beijing, but the athletes are often referred to by the president and many Taiwanese simply as "Team Taiwan".

Parade and Presidential Address

The team participated in a crowded ticker tape parade through central Taipei on Tuesday, arriving at the presidential office on military jeeps and trucks. All the players wore black hoodies with "Taiwan" printed in English on the front. President Lai, also wearing the same hoodie, expressed his gratitude to the team, saying, "Thank you for putting Taiwan at the top of the world. You're all the light of Taiwan." This gesture demonstrated the strong connection between the team and the nation.

Captain's Gesture and Symbolism

Captain Chen Chieh-hsien made a significant gesture on Sunday during the WBSC Premier12 final in Tokyo. He pointed to the blank space on his jersey where the team's country name is usually written. On Taiwan's uniform, only the abbreviation "CT" for Chinese Taipei appears. This moment went viral on social media and was seen as a symbol of defiance against China. Chen told reporters upon his return late on Monday, welcomed by hundreds of fans including Taiwan Vice President Hsiao Bi-khim, that "That gesture was to tell everyone that we are players from Taiwan."

Importance of Baseball in Taiwan

Baseball holds great popularity in Taiwan, having been introduced during the Japanese colonial era from 1895 to 1945. In 2018, Taiwanese voters in a referendum rejected a proposal to enter the Olympics as "Taiwan" instead of "Chinese Taipei". Many were concerned that changing the name would lead to China blocking Taiwan from the Games. Lai and his government firmly reject Beijing's sovereignty claims, emphasizing that only Taiwan's people can determine their future. This shows the determination of Taiwan to assert its identity and rights on the international stage.

Aftermath and Future Prospects

After Lai's address to the team, Vice President Hsiao thanked them for allowing the world to see Taiwan. She pointed out that behind the name "Taiwan", there is both pride and a lot of challenges. Baseball continues to play a crucial role in Taiwan's cultural and social life. It serves as a unifying force and a symbol of the nation's spirit. As Taiwan continues to strive for recognition and respect, events like the baseball victory will remain important milestones in its journey.