Tue Nov 26 11:29:30 UTC 2024: ## Taiwan’s Baseball Heroes Celebrated After Championship Win, Defying China’s Restrictions

**Taipei, Taiwan** – Taiwan erupted in celebration Tuesday following its national baseball team’s stunning victory at the WBSC Premier12 championship in Japan. President Tsai Ing-wen led the festivities, honoring the team in a ticker-tape parade and praising their achievement as a source of national pride.

The team, competing under the designation “Chinese Taipei” due to pressure from Beijing, which claims Taiwan as its own territory, was greeted by throngs of cheering fans. Their black hoodies, emblazoned simply with the word “Taiwan,” became a powerful symbol of national identity.

President Tsai, sporting the same hoodie, addressed the team, declaring, “Thank you for putting Taiwan at the top of the world. You’re all the light of Taiwan.”

The celebration highlighted the delicate balance Taiwan navigates in international sporting events. Captain Chen Chieh-hsien’s viral gesture during the final game – pointing to the blank space on his jersey where the country name usually appears – resonated deeply with Taiwanese citizens, seen as a subtle act of defiance against China’s restrictions.

“That gesture was to tell everyone that we are players from Taiwan,” Chen explained upon his return.

Vice President William Lai echoed the sentiment, thanking the team for showcasing Taiwan on the global stage. He acknowledged the challenges faced by Taiwan in asserting its identity internationally, stating, “Behind the name of Taiwan, there is pride that we see today, but there is also a lot of sadness, setbacks and challenges.”

Baseball, introduced during the Japanese colonial era, holds immense cultural significance in Taiwan. While a 2018 referendum rejected a proposal to compete under the name “Taiwan” at the Olympics due to fears of Chinese retaliation, the team’s recent victory has rekindled the national debate over Taiwan’s international representation and its growing sense of distinct identity.

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