Chen Shui-bian received Wang Chien-ming, a Taiwanese baseball player playing in the American League, for the first time on the morning of November 14, 2005. He offered praise and congratulations and gave a lazurite gift. Wang Chien-ming presented Chen with a baseball mitt symbolic of the President's role to protect Taiwan.
Upon first meeting Wang Chien-ming, the President congratulated the baseball player for joining the American League on April 30. Wang is not only the first Taiwanese to secure a position in a major league, but also the first Asian player to compete in a post-season game. The President showed his concern for Wang in adjusting to American life and for his game. He said that the government is watching his performance closely and he is doing what he can to assure that Wang's career is followed by public media to allow Taiwanese to remain informed of Wang's superior performance, so as to cheer him and the Yankees on. He expressed confidence that Wang will be able to sense how proud his fellow countrymen and fans feel for him.
The President called Wang Chien-ming the "pride of Taiwan" and stressed that it is not only baseball players that need to do their best, but all people must make strides to do their best regardless of their profession. Chen said that he once attended a professional baseball match in the US and said that he also would like to have the opportunity to personally attend a match played by Wang Chien-ming if possible.