Russian coastguards have seized a Chinese fishing boat off the country's east coast after reportedly opening fire on the vessel, Chinese state media said on Wednesday.

The Global Times daily said the Chinese consulate in the eastern Russian city of Khabarovsk had been informed of the incident, which occurred on Monday after a three-hour chase.

It quoted Russian media as saying the coastguards first fired warning shots and then collided with the Chinese boat, shooting at it directly when the fishermen tried to prevent them from boarding.

Chinese government officials could not immediately be reached for comment, but the state-run Global Times said in an editorial that the incident was "unacceptable".

"We don't believe the Russian border patrol authorities specifically target Chinese ships. But it is unacceptable, regardless of what country's ship they were aiming at," said the paper.

"By creating fear through firing at civilian ships, Russia is displaying a wrong image."