A Philippine fishing boat was caught leaking oil into the South China Sea, posing a serious threat to the marine ecosystem, according to the China Coast Guard (CCG).

The incident occurred on Thursday during a refueling operation, when several Philippine fishing boats gathered in waters near China's Huangyan Dao in the South China Sea in an attempt to intrude into China's territorial waters around the island. They also dangerously approached CCG vessels conducting routine law enforcement patrols.

Since July, CCG vessels have carried out routine rights protection and law enforcement operations, patrols, verification missions and rescue missions in the waters around Huangyan Dao, safeguarding the Huangyan Dao National Nature Reserve and protecting China's maritime rights and interests.

China established the nature reserve in September 2025. The blue hole of Huangyan Dao and its surrounding waters are rich in biodiversity, serving as a habitat for typical coral reef species, as well as green sea turtles, a first-class state-protected wild species in China.