A Chinese fishing vessel with 39 crew members on board has capsized in the Indian Ocean, with President Xi Jinping ordering all efforts be made to search for survivors, state media reported on Wednesday.

The distant-water fishing vessel "Lupeng Yuanyu 028", owned by Penglai Jinglu Fishery based in Shandong province, capsized early on Tuesday, broadcaster CCTV reported.

The 39 people on board – 17 Chinese crew members, 17 Indonesians and five from the Philippines – were missing, CCTV said.

Xi said all efforts should be made for the rescue and early warning alerts of safety risks would be strengthened for distant-sea operations, CCTV reported.

Premier Li Qiang said "it is necessary to further strengthen the safety management of fishing vessels at sea and implement preventive measures to ensure the safety of maritime transportation". He also urged relevant ministries to strengthen oversight of the fishing sector.

The vessel had been authorised to fish for neon flying squid and Pacific saury, according to data from the North Pacific Fishing Commission. (Reuters/AFP)
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Last updated: 2023-05-17 HKT 13:20