The Chinese ambassador asked Australia to take the search for 39 aboard the ship | World news

A Chinese envoy asked Australian authorities on Wednesday to step up efforts to find survivors in an Indian Ocean search for 39 missing from a sinking Chinese fishing boat.

Ambassador to Australia Xiao Qian said that the Australian authority has sent four aircraft and three ships to the search area, which is in the middle of the Indian Ocean.

No remains or life rafts have been found.

Xiao said China wants to coordinate with “friendly countries,” including Australia, Indonesia, Sri Lanka and the Maldives, on the search and rescue effort following Tuesday’s evacuation. The Australian Maritime Safety Authority, the search manager, said the upturned ship was found on Tuesday from a cargo ship about 5,000 kilometers (3,100 miles) northwest of the western city. west of the Australian city of Perth.

Chinese authorities said the missing crew included 17 from China, 17 from Indonesia and five from the Philippines.

“We hope they can send more – more aircraft, more ships and more personnel,” Xiao told reporters, referring to Australian authorities. “We want our Australian colleagues to coordinate with international or foreign ships or ships near that area … to assist search and rescue to save as many lives as possible.”

On Wednesday, Chinese President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Qiang ordered Chinese government officials, as well as agriculture and transportation companies, to assist in the search for survivors.

Australia, Indonesia and the Philippines have also expressed their interest in joining the search, and merchant and fishing vessels in the area searched for remains on Thursday.

The search command did not immediately respond to a request Wednesday for an update on the search and rescue operation.

Transport Minister Catherine King, who is responsible for the search warrant, also did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

No word was given on the reason for the adoption.

The downed vessel, Lu Peng Yuan Yu 028, is located in the eastern province of Shandong, operated by Penglai Jinglu Fishery Co. Ltd., according to reports. Another Chinese submarine, Lu Peng Yuan Yu 018, was operating close to the capsized vessel and had been asked to conduct a grid search for survivors, according to Indonesian authorities.