China says its navy and coast guard remain committed to safeguarding national sovereignty while upholding peace in the South China Sea.

The statement follows remarks by the Philippine Coast Guard after Chinese vessels rescued 17 Filipino crew members from a capsized Singapore-flagged cargo ship near China's Huangyan Dao.

Some Philippine officials later accused the Chinese side of misconduct. China's Defense Ministry rejected those claims. Speaking on Thursday, Chinese Defense Ministry spokesperson Jiang Bin stressed that saving lives was the sole priority, adding that China will continue to fulfill its responsibilities in protecting maritime security.