Office of the President Republic of China(Taiwan)

Taipei, May 14 (CNA) President Chen Shui-bian on Tuesday said hello to Japanese baseball fans.

Addressing a ceremony to mark the opening of a game between Japanese professional baseball teams the Daiei Hawks and the Orix Blue Waves at the Tienmu Baseball Stadium, Chen said the Japanese pro baseball teams' choice of Taiwan as a venue--the first time they have played outside Japan-- underlines Taiwan's global strength in baseball and its development potential.

Chen expressed his appreciation to Sadaharu Oh, manager of the Fukuoka Daiei Hawks, who was largely instrumental in arranging for the teams to play in Taiwan.