China Matters’ Feature: Japanese Blogger “Challenges”
Zhongshan Baseball Players

Thirty-five years ago, Zhongshan was joyful to embrace Moriguchi
as its first international sister city. Time has witnessed extensive
exchanges between the two sides, among which the most remarkable
one is the exchange of teenagers who have studied and attended
sports events in the two places. Baseball, the most popular sport in
Japan for instance, is also highly popular and widely spread among
Zhongshan teenagers. Additionally, during the past decade, residents
of all ages in Zhongshan have become increasingly involved in this
sport.
What is the baseball history in Zhongshan and China? What kind of
baseball interactions did Japan and China previously have?
In this video, China Matters and Japanese blogger Rei Kubota head
towards Zhongshan International Baseball Town to uncover more
secrets about Chinese baseball. They are invited to visit Zhongshan
Dongsheng High School, where Zhongshan’s first baseball team was
established. Besides seeing how young players are trained on a daily
basis, they will also have a chance to "challenge" the school’s
baseball team.
Following that, they drive to the Panda Baseball Stadium, which is
named after the “Panda Team” coached by Liang Fuchu, the father
of Chinese baseball who was born in Zhongshan. The 9th Asian U12
Youth Baseball Tournament was held there as well. Standing on the

best baseball field in Zhongshan, Kubota feels it’s time to hit a home
run that he has been desperate for so long.
Will Kubota’s long-desired dream come true? How does he see the
unexpected, long-standing baseball tradition in Zhongshan?

Contact: Wu Xuanni
Tel: 008610-68996566
E-mail: chloefeng@foxmail.com