Dongyin Township (Tungyin) (; Foochow Romanized: Dĕ̤ng-īng-hiŏng) is an insular rural township which is part of Lienchiang County (the Matsu Islands), Fujian Province, Republic of China (Taiwan). The islands are in the East China Sea off the coast of Fujian Province, China near the cities of Fuzhou (Foochow) and Ningde. The township is known for its natural environment and Eastern Min culture, for the historical Dongyong Lighthouse and for its military importance and history as the northernmost territory of Taiwan.
Name
Dongyin Township is named after Dongyin Island (Tungyin Island), the main island of the township. The Wade-Giles derived English language names for Dongyin derived from the name '' are Tungyin and Tung-yin.
Dongyin Island (Tungyin Island) (; Foochow Romanized: Dĕ̤ng-īng-dō̤) was originally called Tungyung Island / Tung Yung / Tung-yung (Dongyong) ().
The second largest island is Xiyin (Siyin Island, Hsiyin) ().
In between the two main islands is the small Zhongzhu Island (). The three islands have been linked by a causeway since 1986. Beigu Reef is north of Xiyin Island and Shuangzijiao is south of Dongyin Island. Dongsha Dao, United States National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (Tung Sha, Tung-sha Tao, Alligator Island; ), considered a basepoint of the Chinese territorial sea by the PRC, is located approximately southwest of Dongyin Island. A larger island (Pratas Island) in the South China Sea with the same Chinese character name is administered by Cijin District, Kaohsiung, Taiwan.
History
In 1579–80, wokou pirates attacked Dongyin (Tung-yung).
Qing Dynasty In 1843, there was a large village and fishing establishment on the western side of Dongyin (Tung Yung).
On the morning of April 24, 1901, the Peninsular and Oriental Line steamship SS Sobraon () ran ashore in heavy fog and was stranded at Dongyin Island (Tungyung Island). The ship was later abandoned and sunk.
In 1902, it was decided to build a lighthouse on Dongyin Island (Tungyung Island), financed by the British government.
The Dongyong Lighthouse was built in 1904. The lighthouse began operating on May 18, 1904.
Republic of China The lighthouse was repaired in 1913.
In 1916, due to sudden shifts in wind, two hundred fishing ships were damaged. A few people were killed and injured.
In 1931, the roofs of all the buildings were blown off in extreme winds.
On the night of November 11, 1931, HMS Petersfield ran ashore on the northern side of Dongyin (Tungyung) with Admiral Howard Kelly, Commander-in-Chief, China aboard.
From 1939 to 1950, opium poppy planting and the manufacture and sale of opium was an economic mainstay for the islanders.
In the wake of the surrender of Japan in Autumn 1945, representatives of Siapu County, Changlo County and Lienchiang County visited Dongyin (Tungyung) and contested control of the islands between their counties. The provincial government determined that Dongyin (Tungyung) was part of Lienchiang County.
On February 19, 1955, Nationalist planes mistakenly bombed the island, causing the death of an elderly woman and some property damage.
On July 16, 1956, the township was assigned to Lienchiang County.
In 1958, the lighthouse temporarily stopped operation due to military concerns.
On May 7, 1963, President Chiang Kai-shek visited the township.
On the morning of May 1, 1965, the Battle of Dong-Yin occurred in the waters north of the township.
On April 13 and August 22, 1979, and May 2, July 18, and September 29, 1980, President Chiang Ching-kuo visited the township.
Construction of the Dongyong Reservoir () began in 1982 and was completed in 1985.
On May 21, 1985, an attempt by Chinese Communist forces to collect information about Dongyin (Tungyin) by using the hijacked Taiwanese boat Hungchi No 1 () was stopped.
On September 19, 1988, and August 10, 1990, President Lee Teng-hui visited the township.
In 1989, the lighthouse resumed operation.
On August 9, 2005, and February 5, 2008, President Chen Shui-bian visited the township.
On June 19, 2010, President Ma Ying-jeou visited the township.
On June 24, 2014, the wreckage of the SS Sobraon was found.
In late April 2019, representatives from the Dongyin Township government visited nearby Haidao Township (PRC).
On December 9, 2020, a ceremony was held marking the beginning of the rebuilding of the township government office and parking area.
On February 16, 2023 at about 11 a.m., a suspected weather balloon believed to have originated in China was discovered at a shooting range on Dongyin.
Geography
Dongyin Township is an archipelago in the East China Sea off the PRC-administered Loyuan Bay (; Lò̤-nguòng-uăng) and is approximately from Keelung on Taiwan, with a total area of 4.4 km2. The east coast of Shi Wei Mountain () on Dongyin is the easternmost of the Matsu Islands (26。 23' 08N, 120。 30' 08 E), while the north coast of Beigu Reef (北固礁) on Xiyin (Siyin) is the northernmost of the Matsu Islands. Dongyin itself is the northernmost point of the territory of the Republic of China (Taiwan). The islands are the key transportation hub between Mawei and Shanghai, and are of strategic importance in the Taiwan Strait area.
The Sishuang islands () in Haidao Township, Xiapu County, Ningde, Fujian, China (PRC) are north-northwest of the township.
The deepest point in the waters around the Matsu Islands is off the coast of Dongyin. After passing Liang Island (also referred as Wave Islet), ships riding from Nangan encounter stronger waves, which explains why Dongyin was originally called Tungyung (Dongyong). The waters around Dongyin host large schools of fish, and coral reefs, which makes Dongyin one of the best domestic fishing spots and the most densely populated conservation area for Larus crassirostris ().
The geological formation of Dongyin is closely related to Mainland China, where the granite bedrock was formed by Yanshan Movement () dated to 100 – 200 million years ago. Thanks to its resistance to weathering, granite bedrock is seen above ground widespread in Dongyin. Although massive granite is tough, lacking internal structures, granite of poor primary permeability is easily eroded by sea water, rain, and gales, resulting in various coastal sights.
The coastal line of Dongyin is maternally related to that in Fujian, drowned valleys () of Submergent Coastlines (). Caps and embayments, typical coastline traits, are prevalent. Caps feature cliff erosion, including sea caves, marine arches, sea stacks, sea trenches, and abrasion platforms, while sea caves are dominant. The less prevailing sedimentary landforms are mainly seen in the inlets and are characteristic of pebble beaches.
Distinctive geological features On account of the geological distinctiveness of Dongyin, in "Natural Landscapes and Resources Survey in the Matsu Islands" (), conducted in 2000 by National Taiwan University Professor Ging-Chan Lin, twelve out of eighteen sights on the island were rated A. Among the 5 evaluation criteria, vividness, diversity, and scarcity best manifest the peculiarity of the island.
Seeing as its various and geological formations, six features of Dongyin are introduced as below.
Rocky coastlines The bedrock of Dongyin comprises mainly gray granite, characteristic of primitiveness and assorted texture. As a consequence, odd and jagged rocks are on display.
Most of the hills on Dongyin are covered with grass, with granite underneath. The surrounding granite cliffs are connected with sea, waves, rocks, soil, grass, and sky, creating a wide range of colors, including navy blue, white, maize, and jade. Along the sea coast of Dongyin, the serial changes of colors can be taken in at a single glance.
Suicide Cliff This is a towering abrasion cliff, about 100 meters deep. Looking over the cliff, one is easily shocked by the impact of elevation differences. The expanding and steep terrain originated from sea gulfs is the consequence of poor primary permeability of granite and continuous erosion caused by seawater.
It is said that a woman abducted by robbers at the end of Qing Dynasty didn't surrender. She escaped to this spot and jumped off into the sea. This place is subsequently named after her. Nowadays, at Suicide Cliff, bamboo handrails and observatory are set up, followed with revitalization of old walls on which 'Righteous Virtue High up Sky, Patriotism Echo through Eternity' are inscribed to commemorate her deeds.
Rat Sands Stone Forest Rat Sands Stone Forest () is located in the coral reefs in the south of Erchong (), named for its resemblance to a rat. Legend has it that the Lins in Ban Ciao became wealthy because of the good Feng Shui of their main living room facing Rat Sands.
The variations of cliff erosions on Dongyin range from natural arches, sea gulfs, sea caves, sea stacks. Among those coastal landforms. Rat Sands Stone Forest stone forest is the most famous. For a good lookout at Rat Sands, Dongyong Lighthouse and Taibai Echo Cliff () are good spots. For excellent camera shots, the east of the top observatory of Yanxiu Tidal Echo (Yansiou Echoing with Tidal Cave) () is the best bet.
Dragon Sea Cave Dragon Sea Cave () is situated in the south of Beiao (), and at the east coastline of Wind Tiger Cape (). A meters-long sea chasm and a sea arch formed on the seafront after years of erosion by strong wind and waves. Retreat of a sea cliff exposes basalt bedrock. When the sea is at peace, divisional planes and grains of basalt rock are observed. With wind and waves picking up, or during the fog season (March - May), the image of the sea arch flickers in the waves and fog, like a dragon playing in the water. Therefore, Dragon Sea Cave is nicknamed "Marine Dragon Play at Sea". The sleek and agile dragon is the long-eroded sea arch.
Dongao Due to the scarcity of extensive tidal flats and sandy beaches in Dongyin, the pebble beach in Dongao () is one of few ports that give access to the sea. The stairs connected to the port used to be very steep, but after renovation, they are now well established with handrails. Tourists can stay under the shade of huge stones away from blistering sun. The pebbles at the port are suitable for resting and dabbling.
Because of the constant erosion by waves, the coastal landforms demonstrate various bizarre stones. All over Dongao are sea arches, sea gulfs, cliffs, and wave-cut platforms, and so on. Over the cliff, right under your nose is the marvelous scenery, with bright blue sea in the backdrop.
Luohanping
Luohanping (Lohan Flat) () is coral reefs located in the northwest of Xiyin (Siyin). 'Lohan Flat Stupid' (), as called by the inhabitants, is renamed Lohan Flat after the Army stationed there. 'Ping ban' (坪笨) refers to a flat stone in Fuzhou dialect, characteristic of the wave-cut platforms coexisting with sea gulfs and sea stacks. Viewed from at sea towards the coral reefs, the high sea stacks and stumps are almost lifelike 'eighteen arhats' () standing in a line, which explains how 'Arhat Stump' () gets its name.
The location of the northernmost Frontier () is at East Cape () at Lohan Flat. Standing on the observatory, overlooking the west side, you'll be amazed with the grandiose sight of Three-colored Stone (三色石).
Government and politics
Administrative divisions Dongyin Township is made up of two rural villages: Lehua Village (; Foochow Romanized: Ngŏk-huà-chŏng) (name derived from '') Zhongliu / Jhongliou Village () (name derived from '')
Mayors
Huang Hsing-Hua (黃星華) (July 16, 1956 – May 1, 1959) Yu Te-Chu (尤德渠) (May 1, 1959 – January 1, 1962) Chen Shou-Wei (陳壽維) (January 1, 1962-November 1963) Wang Chih-Jen (王志任) (November 1963-May 1, 1970) Lin Shou-Chi (林守基) (May 1, 1970 – October 8, 1974) Chen An-Ko (陳安國) (October 8, 1974 – March 1, 1986)