Chinese frigate safely refloated

A navy frigate that ran aground in the waters off China's Nansha Islands was refloated with the help of the navy's rescue force on Sunday, relieving concerns amid rising tensions in the South China Sea.

The forward hull of the ship was slightly damaged, but all crew members were safe and the ship will sail back to port, according to a news release on the Ministry of National Defense's website.

"It has not caused any contamination in the waters," the statement said.