Baseball star awarded gold card
By Sam Garcia / Staff writer, with CNA
President William Lai (賴清德) yesterday awarded Taiwanese-American baseball player Stuart Fairchild an Employment Gold Card in recognition of his efforts for Taiwan during the World Baseball Classic.
The Employment Gold Card combines an open work permit, resident visa, Alien Resident Certificate and multiple re-entry permit into a single card.
It was launched in 2018 as part of the government’s effort to attract and retain foreign talent, along with the Act for the Recruitment and Employment of Foreign Professionals (外國專業人才延攬及僱用法).
President William Lai, right, presents baseball player Stuart Fairchild, left, with an Employment Gold Card at the Presidential Office in Taipei yesterday.
Photo: Screen grab from the Presidential Office’s Flickr page
Lai welcomed Fairchild to the Presidential Office, saying that it was his honor to present the athlete with the card on behalf of the government.
Hopefully, the card would encourage Fairchild to make Taiwan his second home, Lai said, and invited his wife, children and parents to join him in Taiwan.
As a baseball fan, Lai said it is his pleasure to personally thank Fairchild for joining Team Taiwan in the World Baseball Classic.
Fairchild had an exceptional performance, hitting a grand slam during Taiwan’s match against the Czech Republic, and scoring a home run during their match against South Korea — Taiwan’s long-time baseball rival, Lai said.
“We all love you,” Lai told Fairchild, while expressing hope that he would often return to Taiwan and enjoy all it has to offer.
“The more you understand Taiwan, the more you will love it,” Lai said. “We are all one family.”
Fairchild said at the reception that he has felt the love and support of Taiwanese ever since joining the team.
Taiwanese fans welcomed him with open arms from the moment he arrived, he said, adding that he has felt their generosity, warmth and enthusiasm.
Fairchild said that baseball has given him many unique opportunities, but being able to represent Taiwan and build a deeper connection with Taiwanese is an incredibly special experience.
He said he has always been proud of his connection to Taiwan, and it has gotten stronger during his visit this time.
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