China sends Qiandaohu supply ship to join search

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China's Comprehensive Supply Ship Qiandaohu sailed out at 8:00 am on Wednesday to provide comprehensive supply for battleships that are searching the missing Malaysia Airlines flight.[Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

Special: Malaysia Airlines plane missing

The Chinese Qiandaohu supply ship left China at 8:00am on Wednesday with the aim of replenishing – transferring fuel and stores - to Chinese ships searching for the missing Malaysia Airlines jet.

The supply ship - which is making its way from a naval port in Zhejiang province to the Gulf of Thailand, and is also carrying underwater detection equipment, navy divers, soldiers and medics – is expected to arrive in the search area by 4:40 am on March 17.

The crew completed all the required preparations within 24 hours after receiving the order.

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