[sushiman]

Taipei was 3 on the Japanese intensity scale .

3 =

Perceptible to everyone indoors. Frightens some people. Objects inside rattle noticeably and can fall from raised surfaces. Overhead power lines sway. Perceptible to people outdoors. Houses may shake intensely. Light damage possible to homes with low earthquake resistance. Light damage to older buildings with low earthquake resistance. Light damage possible to earthquake-resistant buildings.

[ETCM]

Taipei was 3 on the Japanese intensity scale.

Taipei is 75 miles from the epicenter, of course it was less intense there. The city of Hualien is about 10 miles from the epicenter, and some smaller towns almost on top of it.

Not sure why you feel the need to downplay the severity of this quake. It was a big one.