GIO asks for sports star's assistance in promoting Taiwan

In an effort to cash in on native son Wang Chien-ming's (王建民) rising stardom, Government Information Office (GIO) Minister Pasuya Yao (姚文智) yesterday invited the New York Yankees pitcher to help the GIO promote Taiwan.

Yao said that GIO staff in New York City approached Wang to discuss the matter a couple months ago, inspired by Wang's outstanding performance with the Yankees.

"Hard-working, sincere and a `son of Taiwan' are elements of the image that Wang presented to his fans," Yao said. "We would like to take advantage of that to introduce Taiwan to more foreign friends."

In response to Yao's invitation, Wang said that he is more than happy to contribute.

"It is my honor to help," Wang said. "GIO officials approached me in New York a while ago. I happened to have a chance to sit down with them and talk about the issue today, now that I am here."

Yao said that it is the GIO's hope to maintain a long-term relationship with Wang and work with him constantly to promote Taiwan -- but such hopes are premature at this point.

"The legislature has put the GIO's budget proposal on hold," Yao said. "Without that money, I am not sure how much longer we can last. But, we will still go through the details of the proposal to work with Wang and do as much as we can at this moment."

Yao and Wang's conversation took place yesterday morning, when Wang came to visit Premier Frank Hsieh (謝長廷) at the Executive Yuan. Wang gave the premier a Yankees jacket as a gift while Hsieh gave Wang a dual-time display watch.

Hsieh said that Wang's remarkable performance with the Yankees has helped spur a boom in construction of sports facilities in Taiwan. According to the premier, another NT$4.9 billion (US$146 million) was added to next year's annual budget for sports-related facilities.

"[Wang] gave us a hope. Everybody wants to be like him. It is a great opportunity for the government to do something for sports and we did," Hsieh said.

Meanwhile, President Chen Shui-bian (陳水扁) received Wang yesterday at the Presidential Office. Chen said Wang is not only the pride of Taiwan, but also of Tainan, Chen's hometown.

"I hope that some day I will sit in a baseball stadium in the US to cheer for Chien-ming in person," Chen said.

Wang was a hit at the Presidential Office, where starstruck, high-ranking presidential officials waited to get his autograph. Wang presented Chen with a signed baseball glove.