Holmdel Supports Its 'Friendship City' After Taiwan Earthquake

HOLMDEL, NJ — The 7.2 magnitude earthquake that struck Taiwan Wednesday has saddened township officials who have a personal connection to New Taipei City, proclaimed a "friendship city" by Holmdel last year.

The earthquake struck off Taiwan's eastern coast, causing casualties and severe damage in the area of Hualien County. According to online sources, at least 10 people died and over 1,000 were injured in the earthquake. It is the largest earthquake in Taiwan since the 1999 Jiji earthquake.

Although Taipei City is further north in Taiwan, there was still some damage there and the shock of the quake was felt throughout the country and even as far as China, according to Chiung-yin Cheng Liu, chairperson of the Holmdel Heritage Committee.

Liu is from Taiwan herself - from the central area of the country, she said Thursday. Fortunately, she said, all her family and friends were safe when she checked in with them.

But she said New Taipei City, which surrounds the capital of Taipei and is a large city, suffered some damage to houses as well.

Holmdel Mayor Rocco Impreveduto offered solidarity and sympathy for Holmdel residents who have relatives and friends in Taiwan, as well as for the township's friends from New Taipei City.

“The thoughts and prayers of the entire governing body are with our friends in New Taipei City and throughout Taiwan,” said Impreveduto on Thursday.

In April 2023, the Township Committee formalized the friendship-city relationship with New Taipei City in Taiwan, and Liu was instrumental in making that connection.

"The New Taipei City and the Township of Holmdel, in an effort to promote friendship and mutual benefit between their cities, agree to strengthen cooperation and collaboration by exploring cultural, arts, educational, and economic opportunities," the township memorandum states.

The two municipalities agreed to cooperate to:

• Pursue cultural exchange opportunities to celebrate cultural diversity and fight against prejudices.
• Create opportunities to learn about and reflect upon the intersectionality of international cultural identity.
• Support youth exchange opportunities that promote the exchange of experiences, ideas, and language education.
• Create networking opportunities and conferences to promote business partnership and economic opportunities.

The agreement was signed by then-Mayor DJ Luccarelli and was to be brought to Hou Yu-Ih, mayor of New Taipei City, for signature.

Mayor Impreveduto said Thursday that, “despite the devastation of this tragic event, thankfully Taiwan’s history of earthquake preparedness has mitigated the impact of the quake and prevented a wider loss of life.”

Deputy Mayor Brian Foster added, “Holmdel Township stands with our neighbors who hail from Taiwan as well as our partners in New Taipei City as they begin to rebuild.”