CHINESE President Xi Jinping has ordered the immediate search and rescue of 35 seafarers, including five Filipinos, who went missing after a fishing vessel capsized in the central Indian Ocean, the Chinese Embassy in the Philippines said.

'Sad to learn reports of the capsizing of a Chinese fishing vessel, the Lu Peng Yuan Yu 028 (LPY28), where 39 sailors, including 17 Chinese and 5 Filipino citizens were confirmed missing,' the embassy said. We pray for the safety of all the sailors as we continue with the operations and coordination.'