The Fujian provincial baseball team held a ceremony in Fuzhou, Fujian province, on Thursday. It is joined by two coaches and six athletes from Taiwan. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

The Fujian provincial baseball team, which will debut in the China Baseball League, was established in Fuzhou, Fujian province, on Thursday. It is joined by two coaches and six athletes from Taiwan.

The participation of a baseball team with members from both the Chinese mainland and Taiwan in a national-level sports event is unprecedented, marking a further step for Fujian in exploring new paths for cross-Strait integrated development.

Heading to Weihai, Shandong province, to participate in the 2024 China Baseball League, the head coach from Taiwan, Tseng Hun-Wei, is full of anticipation. "This is just the beginning. The road ahead is long. Our goal has always been the championship, but I hope this championship is not only for Fujian but also for cross-Strait integration," he said.

The 47-year-old Tseng played for a baseball team in Taiwan and once served as a head coach. He believes the team will help more Taiwan residents to get to know Fujian through baseball, to work, travel and study. "As for the performance goal, we will do our best to achieve it," he said.

The player Chang Yuan-Sung has long been eager to get started. "This is a great stage, and we are like brothers."

Fujian's baseball has been gaining popularity. Last year, Fujian hosted 12 baseball events, attracting about 80 Taiwan teams. It has designated 100 schools to carry out baseball activities, covering a population of 227,000.

Baseball has more than a century of history in Taiwan, with high public engagement and popularity among young people. Prior to the establishment of the team, there had been frequent baseball exchanges between Fujian and Taiwan.