BEIJING - China's Defense Ministry on Thursday vowed to safeguard the country's maritime rights.

"Chinese armed forces shoulder the mission of safeguarding the country's sovereign security, territorial integrity and maritime rights," Defense Ministry spokesman Geng Yansheng said at a monthly news briefing in response to a question about the Huangyan Island incident, which occurred in April in the South China Sea.

On April 10, a Philippine warship harassed 12 Chinese fishing vessels that had sailed near Huangyan Island to seek shelter from inclement weather, triggering a months-long standoff near the island.

"We will resolutely fulfill our duties in accordance with the state's arrangement," Geng said.