Beijing - Chinese rescue vessels are now scouring the waters north of Diaoyu Islands, after a fishing trawler sank Friday in what appeared to be an accident. State media said at least two naval vessels were dispatched to the area after the sinking was reported. The boat was carrying an undetermined number of fishermen, according to a source at the PLA Navy.

Like Us on Facebook

Anorther report on the People's Daily, official newspaper of the Chinese communist party, said five fishermen were rescued a few  hours after the sinking, while another five were missing. The report identified the trawler as the Minxiayu 01003, which took on water and sank around 9:00 a.m.

Diaoyu Islands, in the northern part of the East China Sea, is within the area disputed by China and Japan. The Japanese call the islands the Senkakus. Chinese and Japanese ships are regularly seen on patrol near the islands.

The Japanese coast guard said it has responded to the reported accident by sending aircraft and a patrol boat to the area, which it said were in international waters.

In November 2013, China declared large parts of the East China Sea as an air defense zone, raising concerns among other claimant countries, including Japan.

Last month, a pair of Chinese fighter jets were scrambled after two Japanese surveillance aircraft flew in what it called a routine reconnaissance mission over international waters. Japan later lodged a diplomatic protest over the incident which it described as both alarming and provocative. The protest mentioned that the Chinese fighters, armed with missiles, flew dangerously close to the Japanese aircraft.

TagsPLAN, Minxiayu 01003, Senkakus