Chinese airforce makes great contribution in MH370 search

The Chinese airforce detachment searching for the missing Malaysian flight MH370 in Australia is very professional and they have made great contributions in the operation, an Australian commander responsible for the air search said Thursday. [Special coverage]

Group Captain Craig Heap who leads and coordinates the air search mission said that the Chinese crew had done "fantastic contribution" since their first operation on March 23. "They have conducted many search missions and they are highly professional. We are very happy that they are here for the multinational effort," said Heap.

He added that the search area for the Chinese detachment was allocated by the Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) and they have done "extensive visual search and provided significant contributions" which "China should be proud".

Heap said that many countries including China had spotted some objects in the ocean but none of them were confirmed related to the MH370, but the fact was "we are out there to do as best as we can for the families and friends of all the people on board".

Malaysian Airlines flight MH370 carrying 239 people disappeared mysteriously enroute from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing on March 8. The Chinese airforce detachment with two IL-76 planes arrived in the Australian city of Perth on March 22 to provide help for the multinational operation in the southern Indian Ocean.