2026/6/15
With the 2026 FIFA World Cup kicking off and preparations for the 2028 LA Olympics in full swing, Southern California is rapidly transforming into the global sports capital. And Taiwan’s sports diplomacy is right there, shining brightly in perfect rhythm!
Following the massive success of the Los Angeles Angels' Taiwanese Heritage Night in May, the San Diego Padres kept the joy going at the beautiful Petco Park on June 6. Once again, Taiwan’s vibrant culture and passion took center stage at a MLB stadium.
The pre-game celebration came alive with the thunderous beats of Naruwan Taiko of San Diego and the energetic routines of the Formosan Dance Crew, instantly igniting the crowd. A major highlight was an interactive "Taiwanese Food Poll" on the stadium's jumbotron. Even though Director General Jason Ma campaigned hard for his childhood favorite—beef noodle soup—the iconic Xiaolongbao (soup dumplings) ultimately took the crown as the champion, voted by the over 40,000 fans in attendance! Adding to the fun, the ultra-cute Formosan Black Bear mascot roamed the stands handing out gummy bears, winning over American fans with the friendliest and sweetest introduction to Taiwan.
Before the game, Director General Jason Ma was honored to take the mound for the ceremonial first pitch. The exact moment his fastball popped into the catcher's mitt, roaring cheers erupted from the "Team Taiwan" section, where nearly 1,000 passionate compatriots gathered, wearing co-branded commemorative hats embroidered with the Republic of China (Taiwan) flag. That sea of supporters was undeniably the most beautiful and moving sight in Petco Park that evening.
From Anaheim to San Diego, these Taiwanese Heritage Nights transcend language and culture, bringing Taiwanese and American fans closer together. We extend our deepest gratitude to the Taiwanese Chamber of Commerce of San Diego, the San Diego Taiwanese Cultural Association, the Global Federation of Chinese Business Women Orange County Chapter, and all the dedicated community members who made this possible.
This is the true soft power of the Taiwanese people: no matter where we are, we use our creativity, unity, and endless energy to turn any city into a home field for Taiwan. Let’s keep cheering for Team Taiwan and look forward to even more irreplaceable moments in Southern California!
