TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — A new NT$500 bill, a commemorative coin, and a holiday are among the proposals to mark Taiwan's Premier12 championship win.
On Tuesday (Nov. 26), several legislators proposed ways to commemorate the victory. DPP Legislator Hsu Chih-chieh (許智傑) and 26 other lawmakers proposed a bill to amend the Implementation Regulations on Memorial Days and Holidays to designate Nov. 24 as National Baseball Day, per CNA.
Hsu said Taiwan’s win inspired him to advocate for the holiday. He also sought support from other DPP caucus members, emphasizing that this achievement should be celebrated and commemorated nationwide.
In addition, there have been rumors that President Lai Ching-te (賴清德) mentioned plans to update the design of the NT$500 (US$15.38) banknote. The current design, which features Taitung's Nan Wang Elementary School baseball team winning a Little League tournament in 1998, could be replaced with a WBSC Premier12 championship team depiction.
DPP Legislator Lai Jui-lung (賴瑞隆) expressed support for redesigning the banknotes. Lai believed such a gesture would be meaningful to the Taiwanese and help Taiwan gain international visibility.
KMT caucus leader Hung Mong-kai (洪孟楷) wrote on Facebook that the NT$500 bill issuance should proceed immediately. Hung described the championship as an excellent example of a "nationally significant commemorative deed."
In response, the Central Bank said it would respect all opinions and conduct a thorough evaluation. However, it said that changing the design of a single banknote denomination could have a wider ripple effect.
Hung said under the provisions of the Regulations Governing the Issuance of Gold and Silver Coins and Commemorative Notes and Coins, a NT$500 commemorative banknote can be issued.
KMT Legislator Lai Shyh-bao (賴士葆) said redesigning a new bill would involve complex administrative procedures and substantial costs, per UDN. He instead suggested the Central Bank issue commemorative coins. UDN claimed the Central Bank is already planning to issue a baseball coin modeled after the Chinese Zodiac Commemorative Coin Set.
