BEIJING - China urges the Philippines to guarantee the safety and legitimate rights of the Chinese fishermen it has taken into custody, a Foreign Ministry spokesperson said on Thursday.

Hong Lei's remarks at a press briefing came after Philippine authorities lodged poaching charges on Wednesday against 12 Chinese fishermen whose vessel ran aground in Tubbataha Reef off the western Philippine Province of Palawan late on Monday night.

The Chinese government always attaches great importance to the security of its fishermen abroad, while educating and supervising them on their fishing activities, Hong noted.

The Chinese Embassy in the Philippines has sent personnel to visit the crewmen, he added.