China is in communication with the Philippines concerning the recovery of a Philippine navy frigate that ran aground on a shoal in the South China Sea, Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying said on Friday.

The BRP Gregorio del Pilar ran aground on Wednesday night near the Banyue Jiao, and Philippine ships have already been mobilized to retrieve the frigate.

China has been informed of the situation, Hua said at a daily news conference, adding that Chinese coast guard vessels are already at the scene of the accident and the Nanhaijiu 115, a maritime rescue ship, is also in nearby waters.