Mayor Yu-Ih Hou poses with guests at the New Taipei City Year-End Diplomatic Cocktail Reception.

On the evening of November 6, the New Taipei City Government held the 2026 Year-End Diplomatic Cocktail Reception under the theme “Liveable City, Friends Forever.” The gathering brought together diplomatic envoys stationed in Taiwan, representatives of foreign business associations, international relations scholars, and key global partners to celebrate the city’s milestones and friendships. New Taipei City Mayor Yu-Ih Hou shared with guests the city’s governance achievements and international exchange initiatives over the past eight years. Extending his gratitude for the longstanding support of the international community, Mayor Hou expressed his hope for expanded cooperation to foster a safe, livable, and sustainable city in the future.
 
This year’s reception took place in the newly opened Sanchong Administrative Building, hosting diplomatic representatives from 27 countries. Over 80 international attendees viewed the New Taipei City Exhibition , “New Taipei Band: Composing the Future Together, ” reflecting together on the city’s development and governance achievements over the last eight years. They also visited the fire department’s Emergency Operations Center and the police department’s 110 Command and Control Center to observe firsthand how the city leverages smart technology to advance governance and adopts other measures to strengthen urban safety.
 

Mayor Yu-Ih Hou chats with diplomatic representatives in Taiwan.

Mayor Hou noted that the Sanchong Administrative Building has assembled the city’s police, fire, transport, health, and labor departments to pursue five core goals: road safety, public order, public safety, occupational security, and food safety. He also highlighted that New Taipei integrates smart technology and cross-agency collaboration to better ensure safety and disaster response efficiency, adding that these efforts have been instrumental in reinforcing the city’s resilience and protecting residents.
 
Looking back at the city’s international engagement over the past eight years, Mayor Hou highlighted that New Taipei published Taiwan’s first Voluntary Local Review of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals in 2019, and has since published a total of three reports. Through active involvement in international organizations, exchange visits between cities, and cross-border cooperation, New Taipei consistently shares its urban governance experience with international partners to broaden its global presence. Even at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, the city sustained close international ties by sharing its epidemic prevention experience online. Mayor Hou stressed that city diplomacy goes beyond building friendships—the networks established serve as vital channels for sharing expertise, providing mutual assistance, and tackling shared challenges. Expressing his appreciation for the consistent support of foreign diplomatic representatives, Mayor Hou noted that exchanges over the years have firmly integrated New Taipei into the global community and made it better known worldwide. Looking ahead, the city will uphold its commitment to deepen international collaborations and drive sustainable development.
 
The cocktail reception opened with a dance performance titled “Fragrance from the Hearth,” presented by the Little Angels Dance Troupe from Jimei Elementary School, Sanchong District, infusing the occasion with local cultural heritage. The refreshments at the reception featured a selection of regional specialties, including Pinglin tea, Wanli crabs, Sanzhi water bamboo shoots, as well as signature sticky rice from A-Pan Kung-Fu Sticky Rice, an award-winning establishment in Luzhou District. Combining a splendid show with iconic local cuisine, the evening offered guests an immersive celebration of New Taipei’s traditions and hospitality.


Guests visit the New Taipei City Exhibition.