On the evening of May 24th, the New York Mets held “Mets Taiwan Day” at Citi Field, inviting special guests including Taipei 101 Chairperson Jia Yongjie and New Jersey Taiwan Chamber of Commerce President Cai Qinghui to kick off the game against the Los Angeles Dodgers. Nearly 40,000 spectators witnessed the “TAIWAN” and “TAIPEI 101” logos shining in the Major League Baseball stadium, aiming to showcase Taiwan to the world.
During the ceremonial first pitch, Jia Yongjie appeared in a jersey and gloves of her own design, prominently featuring “TAIWAN” on the front, “TAIPEI 101” on the back, with elements of the Republic of China flag on the right sleeve and glove. She expressed that the design was carefully crafted to convey visual and symbolic meaning, hoping that at the moment of pitching, the world could see their national flag and Taiwan. The limited edition jersey was simultaneously released for sale on the official Taipei 101 website, aiming for more people to share in the glory and pride.
Cai Qinghui, President of the New Jersey Taiwan Chamber of Commerce, served as Jia Yongjie’s pitching partner for the evening, confessing to feeling both nervous and proud for his first time on the MLB stage as a catcher. This year marked the first collaboration between the two chambers inviting the Taipei 101 Chairperson for the ceremonial first pitch, adding significant meaning to the event.
The Taiwan Day event was jointly organized by the New York Taiwan Chamber of Commerce and the New Jersey Taiwan Chamber of Commerce. President of the New York Taiwan Chamber of Commerce, Lin Qingfu emphasized the release of 1750 game tickets, all sold out, with a message of “Please come early next year!”. He praised Chairperson Jia’s irresistible charm, as the national flag waved proudly on the big screen and in the stadium, creating an unforgettable moment for overseas compatriots and Taiwanese alike.
Distinguished guests attended the event including Lee Chih-chiang, Director of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in New York, New York State Congressional Representative Nicole Malliotakis, as well as permanent representatives and dignitaries from Paraguay, Guatemala, the Marshall Islands, Tuvalu, and other allied nations, highlighting Taiwan’s diplomatic efforts.
The organizers meticulously prepared limited-edition gift bags containing jerseys, China Airlines commemorative keychains, 101-shaped mineral water, hats, and other gifts for attendees who purchased the Taiwan Day package, filling the venue with a lively atmosphere. China Airlines and EVA Air sponsored round-trip tickets from New York to Taipei as grand prizes for a drawing, with the lucky winners announced via live broadcast on the New York Taiwan Chamber of Commerce website on May 27th.
Continuing the tradition this year, the “Taiwan Day Community Service Contribution Award” was presented, recognizing six Taiwanese community members who have quietly contributed to various fields such as cultural heritage, volunteer service, social engagement, medical education, and more. Their dedication and efforts represent the values of Taiwan abroad.
The event stirred up excitement as Dodgers’ star Shohei Ohtani and Mets’ star Juan Soto competed in a thrilling match that ended with the New York Mets triumphing over the Los Angeles Dodgers with a score of 5-2, creating fond memories for Mets fans and Taiwanese compatriots.
Jia Yongjie remarked, “To represent Taiwan and throw the first pitch in a packed stadium is a highlight of my life.” She expressed gratitude to all compatriots and friends of Taiwan for their enthusiasm, emphasizing her commitment to further promote Taiwan on the international stage, hoping for Taiwan’s visibility to continue to rise globally.