A Singapore-flagged cargo ship capsized in the waters near China's Huangyan Dao on January 22.  Since January 23, the China Coast Guard (CCG) has been engaged in search and rescue operations for Filipino crew members who fell overboard from the capsized vessel.  

While expressing gratitude for China’s rescue of Filipino crew members, a spokesperson for the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) said that the Chinese side should respect the Philippines’ so-called exclusive economic zone. The spokesperson also made unfounded accusations, alleging that the Chinese side had intimidated, harassed, or obstructed vessels.

"The CCG's Dongsha ship and Sanmen ship, together with PLANS Dali, promptly headed to the maritime area for humanitarian search and rescue. They rescued 17 Filipino crew members from the water and provided them with food, medical checks and shelter," said Jiang Bin, spokesperson for the Ministry of National Defense, at a press conference on January 29.

"The crew members were handed over to the Philippine side on January 25, which expressed its gratitude. However, certain PCG spokesperson blatantly used this humanitarian act as a tool for malicious propaganda, which is utterly mean and shameful," said Jiang Bin.

"Life is priceless and compassion knows no borders. The PLA Navy and CCG are not only defenders of national sovereignty, but also guarantors of peace. We will continue to fulfill our duty of safeguarding China's maritime territory, make concrete efforts to uphold a maritime community with a shared future, and contribute more to building the South China Sea into a sea of peace, friendship and cooperation." 

(Source:  China's Ministry of National Defense)