BEIJING – A China Coast Guard (CCG) spokesperson announced that, out of humanitarian considerations, Chinese authorities on Tuesday morning permitted the transfer of injured personnel from a Philippine vessel that was illegally "grounded" at China's Ren'ai Jiao in the South China Sea.

Jiang Lue, spokesperson for the CCG, said the transfer, under the monitoring of the Chinese side, was conducted via a small boat of the Philippine vessel.

The CCG will continue to carry out law-enforcement activities to safeguard China's territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests at Ren'ai Jiao and its surrounding waters in accordance with the law, the spokesperson added.