Dongju and Xiju Islands were previously named Dongquan and Xiquan Islands, meaning "Eastern Dog" and "Western Dog" respectively. They have also been called the White Dogs or White Dog Islands or Baiken Islands. They were renamed from a quote of a speech by Chiang Kai-shek, "forget not that you're in Ju". It refers to the City of Ju, where the king of Qi prepared a counterattack that retook his country from the State of Yan. This is an analogy of Matsu and Taiwan as bases of the Republic of China to regenerate itself and one day recover mainland China from the Chinese communist. This renaming, of course, is not recognized by PRC, which keep their original names.
History
On May 15, 1617, sixty-nine wokou were captured alive in the area. In 1872, construction of Dongsha Lighthouse began. In December 1939, Japanese naval forces from Taiwan occupied the islands. The islands were originally part of the Changle County before the ROC government evacuated to Taiwan. It is considered by the People's Republic of China government as part of Changle City of the Fuzhou City. In September 1953, the Changlo County government was established on the islands. Western Enterprises, a CIA front organization, had a communications base on Xiquan. After a series of combat readiness tests carried out by MAAG were completed on April 15, 1955, the overall Chinese Nationalist defense preparations for the Matsu Islands were rated as satisfactory. One of the weaknesses noted was "the seriously understrength regiment garrisoning the Paichuan Islands group". In July 1956, the islands were transferred to Lienchiang County. The islands were divided into two townships: Xiquan and Dongquan. On August 19, 1958, President Chiang Kai-shek visited Xiju Island and spoke to the soldiers there. In September 1960, the two townships were united into one, Paichuan township. On October 15, 1971, the Executive Yuan approved changing the name of the township from Baiquan Township to Juguang Township. They also approved changing the name of Xiquan Island to Xiju Island and Dongquan Island to Dongju Island. On September 21, 1979 and on May 3, 1980, President Chiang Ching-kuo visited the township. On June 18, 1993, President Lee Teng-hui visited the Dongju Elementary School. In the 2018 election, Mayor Hsieh Chun-Lan was re-elected mayor, defeating her opponent Chen Shun-Shou by over a hundred votes. Hsieh called for rebuilding the former township office as a resort, beautification of the township, and creation of a vibrant sight-seeing economy.
Geography
Dongju, the southernmost of the Matsu Islands, is 2.63 km² and Sijyu 2.36 km². Islets includes like Yongliu near Dongju. Dongju is shaped like a dagger, while Xiju a triangle, so seemingly bigger on maps. Some cliffs of Dongjyu is severely corroded by wind, creating a strangely aesthetic appearance. Other islands include Linaoyu also known as Lintouyu, Xiniuyu, Dayu, Xiaoyu, and Sheshan. The northernmost and easternmost points of Juguang Township are on Dayu, the westernmost point is on Sheshan, and the southernmost point is on Linaoyu. Linaoyu is also the southernmost point of the Matsu Islands. Juguang is across from Meihua Town, Changle District, Fuzhou, Fujian, China.
Politics and government
Administrative divisions
Administratively the islands are part of the Lienchiang County. Neither Dongju nor Xiju has an island-wide administrative level. The islands are divided into five rural villages: Xiju Island
Chen I-Peng , former mayor of Beigan and later mayor of Nangan
Lin Po-Jen
Elected mayors:
Lin Mao-Chun , received 692 votes out of a total 697 votes cast
Chen Chien-Kuang
Chen Le-Tuan
Tsao Erh-Szu
Wang Ta-Chieh
Chiang Chih-Hsing
Wang Ta-Chieh , second term
Ko Yu-Kuan
Hsieh Chun-Lan , first female mayor of the township
Infrastructure
Electricity supply
The township is powered up by Xiju Power Plant located in Xiju Island.
Water supply
Previously, water supply had been scarce in Xiju Island despite having water wells drilled around the island by the residents. Later the military built a dam and formed the Ledaoao Reservoir for the water needs of residents, defense and irrigation.
Tourism
The 19.5-metre Dongquan Lighthouse on northern Dongjyu, made during the late Qing Dynasty with granite. The guiding light is in the shape of a clam and can reach. Dongju Lighthouse is a second-level national historic building. In front of the lighthouse, there used to be four mist-cannon for signaling, but has now been removed and placed in Matsu Folk Culture Museum. The 42-character Dapu Stone Inscription, in Dapu Seaport of Dongju, was made during the Wanli era of the Ming Dynasty, concerning the capture of pirates alive. Remembering-the-Past Pavilion was constructed in 1966 sheltering the stone. In the sea south of the Sijyu, there is Snake Mountain. The main island has a small Green-sail Seaport, two water reservoirs and a middle-elementary school, but are not major tourist attractions. It also features the Mysterious Little Bay.
Transportation
There is one accessible seaport on Xiju, and two on Dongju. Juguang can be reached by ferry from Fuao Harbor in Nangan or by helicopter which only operates during the winter and priority on which is given to local residents.
