YMCA work began in Taiwan around the turn of the 20th Century because of the Japanese occupation. The YMCA as it is known today was founded in 1945 when Taiwan was returned to the Chinese Nationalist Government. Early programme emphasis was in the areas of camping, club programmes, physical education, social activities, leadership training, vocational training and supplementary education. In 1966, the associations of Taipei, Taichung, Tainan, and Kaohsiung formed the National Council of YMCAs of the Republic of China. It was affiliated with the World Alliance in 1966. The new national organization placed considerable emphasis on the development of youth leadership.