Golfer C.T. Pan, WNBA's Kaitlyn Chen celebrate Taiwan at MLB park

San Francisco, May 1 (CNA) Taiwanese golfer C.T. Pan (潘政琮) and newly drafted WNBA player Kaitlyn Chen (陳紫柔) celebrated Taiwan on the first day of Asian American and Pacific Islander Month at an event hosted by the San Francisco Giants on Thursday.

Pan and Chen were the guests of honor and threw out the ceremonial first pitch at Oracle Park as part of the second Taiwanese Heritage Night hosted by the Giants before its home game against the Colorado Rockies.

Pan, who won the bronze medal in the men's golf competition at the 2020 Tokyo Summer Games, said that whenever he sees Taiwanese fans cheering for him at tournaments in the United States, it gives him a confidence boost, and he thanked them for their support.

"Taiwan stands out for many things. (I) hope more people can get to know Taiwan, and know I'm a golf player from Taiwan," he said.

Chen, who was drafted by the Golden State Valkyries in mid-April, told CNA that she was very proud of her Taiwanese heritage and that it meant a lot to her to take part in the event hosted by the Giants at Oracle Park.

"I miss ... I haven't been back for a little while, and I can't wait for the next time when I'll be able to go back," said the daughter of Taiwanese immigrants.

Chen, a member of the University of Connecticut women's basketball team that won the NCAA title in early April, said her Asian heritage "shaped her as a person growing up" and that "it means a lot that we are able to celebrate that this month."

"Kaitlyn Chen, welcome to the Bay @valkyries #BayAreaUnite" the Giants wrote in a post on the social media platform X.

Taiwanese Heritage Night is organized by the Taiwan Tourism Administration, the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in San Francisco, the Giants and EVA Air, an international airline partner of the baseball team.

Sylvia Lee (李思賢), director of the Taiwan Tourism Administration's San Francisco Office, said Taiwan and the United States shared the culture of baseball, and she hoped to promote Taiwan as a travel destination through sports events.