 On 28 January 2016, the Mayor of Taoyuan declared that his special municipality is open to the possibility of a registry.On 7 March 2016, Tang Hui-chen, director of the Department of Civil Affairs at the Taoyuan City Government, said that based on gender equality, basic human rights and respect for same-sex relationships, the Government has decided to allow same-sex couples to register as same-sex partners to protect their rights.The registration began on 14 March 2016, making Taoyuan the sixth as well as the last special municipality in Taiwan to officially recognize same-sex couples.