China’s ambassador to Australia Xiao Qian has told reporters a Chinese fishing boat with 39 crew lost contact on its way back to China in waters 5000 kilometres west of Perth during an “emergency situation”.
He said the ship encountered trouble in remote and risky waters. Those on board the fishing vessel included 17 people from China, 17 from Indonesia and five from the Philippines, he said.
Chinese Ambassador to Australia Xiao Qian said Australian agencies were working to find crew on a missing fishing vessel. Credit: Alex Ellinghausen
“This incident has drawn high attention from President Xi Jinping and other Chinese leaders,” Qian said.
“President Xi has made very important instructions asking the relevant Chinese ministries and relevant prime ministers … including the embassy here in Canberra to coordinate with friendly countries … for a possible immediate search and rescue,” Qian said.
Australian authorities dispatched three planes to the area and four ships to help with the search and rescue, he said.
The ambassador said they discovered what appears to be the capsized Chinese fishing boat.
“But to this moment, no individual has been found alive whatsoever,” he said.
“We wish our Australian colleagues will coordinate with other international or foreign vessels or ships near the area to help to search and rescue to save as many lives as possible.”
The ambassador said he was hopeful the efforts of the Australian authorities would continue, despite the search taking place in a “risky area”.