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KUALA LUMPUR. — Malaysian acting transport minister Hishammuddin Hussein said yesterday that the preliminary report on the missing MH370 flight would be released today. He said the report would be similar to the one submitted to the International Civil Aviation Organisation.
The minister said he would go to Australia next week to discuss the new phase of the search for the missing aircraft, as well as the financial aspect.
“But we don’t know what the cost would be until we decide where to search, what assets are going to be used and who are going to supply those assets,” he said, adding that three ministerial committees had been working on the matter.
Meanwhile, Chinese Premier Li Keqiang yesterday held talks on the phone with his Australian counterpart, Tony Abbott, to discuss the search of the missing jetliner and relations between the two countries.
After being briefed on the next phase of search operation for Malaysia Airlines Flight MH370, Li said the international community had made tremendous efforts in the hunt for the ill-fated plane.
China greatly appreciates Australia’s co-ordination in the multinational mission in the southern Indian Ocean and support for Chinese vessels and aircraft that participated in the search, he added.
He noted that with seabed search to be expanded to a much larger area, the operation entered a new phase while Australian, Malaysian and Chinese ships would continue to hunt the jetliner.
In face of more difficulties, the operation must go ahead without the slightest slack, Li said, adding that it was the three countries’ obligations to the families of all the people on board.
The premier said China was willing to work with all parties on a plan for the new phase of search and would try its utmost to actively participate in the operation.
China is ready to send high-ranking officials to a ministerial meeting of the three countries on the search work early next month, he said. — Xinhua.
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