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 the Republic of China (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 (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