Five Chinese fishermen are missing after a boat sank in waters north of the Diaoyu Islands on Friday, according to PLA Daily's micro blog on Sina Weibo.

The trawler, Minxiayu 01003, had 10 people on board when the boat sank around 8:50 am. Two Chinese naval rescue vessels were sent to the scene, and five people were rescued.

The cause of the accident remains unknown.