sparked the baseball craze in Taiwan.

In 1977, Li Shuang-ze composed this song.

Ilha Formosa: Beautiful Island Taiwan

Original poem by Chen Xiu-xi. Lyrics adapted by Liang Ching-feng.

Music by Li Shuang-ze. Sung by Su Yang.

Ilha Formosa, the cradle of our lives,

warmly embraces us like a mother.

Our proud ancestors watch over us

with every step we take.

They remind us again and again:

do not forget; we can't forget.

They remind us again and again:

the past was thorny yet the riches will be plenty.

The boundless Pacific Ocean

embraces this land of freedom.

The warm sun shines on

high mountains and paddy fields.

Our people are brave. (On 25 Aug. 1968, Hongye Baseball Team matched against a Japanese team.)

The past was thorny yet the riches will be plenty. (Hongye won an overwhelming victory.)

Our land is full of life:

buffaloes,

rice,

bananas and White Champaca*.

In 1974, our national baseball team brought home three championships.

Triumphant Return of Chinese Taipei**.

Our people are brave.

The past was thorny yet the riches will be plenty.

Our land is full of life:

buffaloes,

rice,

bananas and White Champaca.

In 2007, Wang Chien-ming won 19 games in the 2006 and 2007 seasons and became the spotlight of Taiwan.

Ilha Formosa: Beautiful Island Taiwan

(translated by Ali Chuang) Be proud. Be strong. With the love for our land we fight .