Malaysia thanks China for funding MH370 search

A woman leaves a message of support and hope for the passengers of the missing Malaysia Airlines MH370 in central Kuala Lumpur in March 16, 2014.[Photo/Agencies]

KUALA LUMPUR - Malaysia expresses appreciation Sunday on the latest announcement by China to offer 20 million Australian dollars (about $14.5 million) to continue the search for missing Malaysia Airlines Flight MH370.

Malaysia "would like to express our deepest appreciation" to China for their contribution to funding the on-going search for MH370, Malaysian Transport Minister Liow Tiong Lai said in a statement.

"This contribution will undoubtedly assist Malaysia and Australia in the on-going search for MH370," he said.

Despite the adverse sea and weather conditions in the search areas, Malaysia together with China and Australia are fully committed to completing the underwater search, Liow said.

Chinese Premier Li Keqiang announced here Saturday that his country will offer 20 million Australian dollars to help continue the multinational search for missing flight.

Li made the announcement in a meeting with Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull in Malaysia, where Asia-Pacific leaders are holding a regional summit.

Holding the greatest respect for humanity, China hopes Malaysia and Australia could continue to maintain effective communication with China over the search of the jetliner, the Chinese premier said.

The flight, a Boeing 777-200, disappeared on March 8, 2014, en route from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing with a total of 239 people on board, most of them Chinese.

The Malaysian government confirmed in August that an aircraft flapron found on the French Indian Ocean island of La Reunion belonged to the missing flight.