Liow: China’s help in MH370 search appreciated

PETALING JAYA: China has contributed A$20mil (RM61.5mil) to help fund the ongoing search for missing Malaysia Airlines flight MH370.

“Malaysia would like to express our deepest appreciation to His Excellency Premier Li Keqiang and the People’s Republic of China for their contribution,” said Transport Minister Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai (pic).

“This contribution will undoubtedly assist Malaysia and Australia in the ongoing search for MH370,” he said in a statement yesterday.

Liow also expressed his gratitude to fellow Asean members who have contributed to the search of the missing Beijing-bound Boeing 777 that disappeared on March 8, 2014.

“In Malaysia’s time of need, your unwavering support has been invaluable, and a testament to the close ties between our nations,” he said.

“Since that fateful day in March last year, no effort has been spared in the search for MH370,” he added.

Liow said that the search strategy working group team, led by the Joint Agency Coordination Centre and the Australian Transport Safety Bureau, comprising experts from various international organisations, have collaborated to independently review and refine all available data pertaining to this search.

As announced in April 2015, Malaysia together with China and Australia are “fully committed” to completing the underwater search with the extended search zone of 120,000sq km.

“As this is a remote location with adverse sea and weather conditions, it continues to pose a challenge for the search and recovery team.

“Nevertheless, we will certainly persevere with this search,” said Liow.

He said that the “unprecedented level of support, collaboration and co-operation” given by the governments of Australia and China has been “instrumental” during the trying time for Malaysia.