Southwest Cay

Southwest Cay (Pugad; Đảo Song Tử Tây) is an islet in the northern edge of Spratly Islands in South China Sea. It is part of North Danger Reef, and just 1.75 miles from Northeast Cay. With an area of 12 hectares, it is the sixth largest Spratly island and the second largest among the Vietnamese-occupied Spratly islands. The island is also claimed by the People's Republic of China, Republic of China (Taiwan) and the Philippines.

Southwest Cay holds the archipelago's highest point, at 4 meters above sea level; was once a breeding place for birds and covered with trees and guano. Export of guano had been carried out "on a considerable scale."

History
In 1933, the French Government took official possession of the Spratley islands including North East Cay and South West Cay. Three ships, the Alerte, the Astrobale and the De Lanessan took part in the expedition. The following quotations are from an account given by H. Cucherousset in L'Eveil economique de l'Indochine (No. 790 of May 28, 1933):

”Further north still, at the level of Nhatrang, is the atoll named "North Danger", the Alerte took possession of two sandy islands (cayes) where it found some Japanese fishing. The De Lanessan went there too and explored the little island. The latter is perceptibly higher than the others, the highest point reaching 5 metres. The phosphate beds are considerable and were much exploited by the Japanese. "

After possession had been taken, the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs published the following notice in the French Journal Officiel dated July 26, 1933 (page 7837):

"Notice concerning the occupation of certain islands by French naval units.

The French government has caused the under mentioned isles and islets to be occupied by French naval units:


 * Group of two islands situated at latitude 111°29' north and longitude 114°21' east of Greenwich, with their dependent isles (36) (Possession taken April 10, 1933).

The above-mentioned isles and islets henceforward come under French sovereignty (this notice cancels the previous notice inserted in the Official Journal dated July 25, 1933, page 7784)."

In 1939, Japan occupied the islands and would remain there until the end of World War II. In 1956, France transferred the islands to South Vietnam.

In 1959, the South Vietnamese Government renamed the Song Tử islands (meaning twins after their resemblance to each other) "Tây" (meaning West) and "Đông" (meaning East) respectively. They were annexed to Phước Tuy Province, South Vietnam. In 1961, the two South Vietnam Navy cruisers, the Van Kiep and the Van Don, landed on the islands of Song Tu Tay (South-West Cay).

On May 24, 1963, the sovereignty steles were rebuilt on Song Tu Dong (North East Cay) and Song Tu Tay (South West Cay) by crew members of the three vessels Huong Giang, Chi Lang and Ky Hoa of South Vietnam.

In 1968, Philippines troops occupied Song Tu Dong (North East Cay, Parola) and Song Tu Tay (Pugad).

Captured by Vietnam
In 1975, a party was held for the Philippine commanding officer at Northeast Cay. Philippine forces guarding the Southwest Cay attended the party and upon their return, found that the South Vietnamese, who were then allies, had occupied the island in their absence.

In April 1975, there was a skirmish between the South Vietnamese Navy and North Vietnam task force on this island. The North Vietnam task force won and occupied the island. Some of the South Vietnamese who had taken over the island from the Philippines fled Southwest Cay and swam to Northeast Cay (Philippine controlled island) to seek refuge.

Although the PRC, ROC (Taiwan) and Philippines all claim the island, no clashes have been recorded since 1975.