In an unprecedented move, the Chinese Premier Li Keqiang pledged an additional AUD20 million to bear costs in search of the Malaysia Airlines Flight MH370 that disappeared more than a year ago with 239 people aboard. Most passengers of the ill fated aircraft were Chinese and the Chinese government vowed to spare no effort to locate and recover the plane.
The MH370 disappeared on March 8, 2014, en route from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing. While the French investigators have identified a washed-up piece of airplane debris found in July on a remote island in the Indian Ocean, the La Réunion as part of the said craft.
The multinational search has thus far costs over AUD120 million covering hundreds thousand of square kilometers in the southern region of the Indian Ocean.
His Excellency Li made the announcement during a meeting with the Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull on Saturday, where the Asia-Pacific leaders were holding a regional summit; the 27th ASEAN Summit in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
In a gesture of appreciation and gratefulness, the Honorary Transport Minister of Malaysia, Liow Tiong Lai express a heartfelt message on behalf of the Malaysian government and its people of the contribution by Premier Li Keqiang in the collaborative efforts with the Chinese and the Australian government in their continual searched for the aircraft.
Following is the full media statement from the office of the Transport Minister of Malaysia.
PRESS STATEMENT
BY YB DATO' SRI LIOW TIONG LAI, MINISTER OF TRANSPORT, MALAYSIA
Liow: Malaysia Grateful for China’s On-Going Support
Malaysia would like to express our deepest appreciation to His Excellency Premier Li Keqiang and the People’s Republic of China for their contribution of AUD20 million to the on-going search efforts for MH370. This contribution will undoubtedly assist Malaysia and Australia in the on-going search for MH370.
I would also like to take this opportunity to express my sincere gratitude to my fellow ASEAN members who have contributed to the search for MH370. In Malaysia's time of need, your unwavering support has been invaluable, and a testament to the close ties between our nations.
Since that fateful day in March of last year, no effort has been spared in the search for MH370. 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 within the extended search zone of 120,000 square kilometres.
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.
The unprecedented level of support, collaboration and cooperation given by the Governments of Australia and China has been instrumental during what has been a trying time for our nation. We are committed to the search for MH370.
[END]
Since that fateful day in March of last year, no effort has been spared in the search for MH370. 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 within the extended search zone of 120,000 square kilometres.
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.
The unprecedented level of support, collaboration and cooperation given by the Governments of Australia and China has been instrumental during what has been a trying time for our nation. We are committed to the search for MH370.
[END]
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