The governments of Taipei, New Taipei, Taichung and Taoyuan gathered with the leaders of the Taiwan Foundation for Democracy to announce a new initiative for a local government association. They hope it can support cities to help each other, and also connect Taiwan's local governments with cities in other countries, as a form of diplomacy. Taipei Mayor Chiang Wan-an said that the alliance could help cities facing similar issues, like population shifts and climate change.