China, Malaysia enhancing MH370 efforts: Foreign Ministry

China's sending of its special envoy to Malaysia and Premier Li Keqiang's two phone conversations with Malaysia's prime minister demonstrate the two countries' enhanced efforts to find the missing flight MH370, said the Foreign Ministry's spokesman on Wednesday. [Special coverage]

Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei made the remarks at a press conference when asked about whether the affair will have a lasting impact on the China-Malaysia relationship.

Chinese special envoy Zhang Yesui arrived in Malaysia on Wednesday morning after President Xi Jinping ordered that a special envoy be sent to Kuala Lumpur to consult with Malaysian authorities, learn about the situation, and ask the Malaysian side to properly handle related issues.

Xi also ordered Chinese agencies to help Malaysia and all other parties involved carry on the search and make proper arrangements for all aspects of the matter.

On Wednesday, Zhang held talks with Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak and Malaysia's Acting Transport Minister Hishammuddin Hussein, said Hong, adding that Zhang will also meet with the chiefs of Malaysia Airlines.

Zhang's travel to Malaysia reflects the great importance China attaches to cooperation as well as jointly addressing challenges, said the spokesman.

Li Keqiang on Tuesday also urged Malaysia to provide detailed and accurate information about MH370.

Malaysia should strictly comply with international conventions, continue to coordinate the international search, and absorb Chinese experts to join the investigation, Li said while presiding over a meeting of the State Council, or the Cabinet.

The premier said he can feel the grief passengers' relatives are suffering, adding that search and rescue is still the top priority.

He pledged to spare no efforts in the search for the missing plane and safeguard the lawful rights and interests of Chinese nationals.

Medical services and legal aid should be offered to the passengers' relatives to ensure their physical and psychological health, Li added.

Senior officials from the General Office of the State Council, Foreign Ministry, Ministry of Transport and Civil Aviation Administration of China visited passengers' relatives again on Tuesday, vowing that they will continue to reinforce search and rescue efforts.

On the same day, China held another inter-ministerial meeting to study the current situation and make plans for the next steps.

"China believes that the search is still the top priority at the current stage," Hong said. "China will make all-out efforts, help direct operations, expand the search zone and strengthen the search force in the hope of salvaging the wreckage and 'the black box' of the plane."

The main search area is the waters in the South Indian Ocean where the Australian side spotted suspicious objects, said Hong.

According to the China Maritime Search and Rescue Center, Chinese icebreaker Xuelong and merchant ship Zhonghaishaohua, together with three Chinese naval vessels arrived on Wednesday in the area where Australian satellites spotted suspicious items and started searching in the waters demarcated by the Australian side.

Chinese vessels Haixun 01, Nanhaijiu 115 and Donghaijiu 101 are heading for the target area. Three Chinese naval ships, including amphibious transport dock Kunlunshan, supply ship Qiandaohu and missile destroyer Haikou, already arrived in the target area and started searching, said Hong.

"As Chinese vessels arrive in the area, the search force will be greatly bolstered as there will be search forces both in the air and on the water," Hong said.

He said, the China Maritime Search and Rescue Center has informed the Australian side of the location of Chinese vessels and provided them with information on the weather and the drift of suspicious items as well as suggestions for search areas.

At the same time, Chinese vessels Haixun 31 and Nanhaijiu 101, and naval vessels Jinggangshan and Yongxingdao remain in the eastern part of the South Indian Ocean and continue their search.

Another three vessels of the 17th escort squad of the Chinese Navy in the Gulf of Aden and Somali waters participated in the search in the waters of their mission, said the spokesman.

China will coordinate more merchant ships and fishing vessels to participate in the search, he added.

Flight MH370, a Boeing 777-200ER, went missing on its way to Beijing on March 8, shortly after taking off from Kuala Lumpur. The plane was carrying 12 crew and 227 passengers, including 154 Chinese.

The search for the missing passenger jet is in its third week.