Special emergency unit sent to Perth to facilitate search for MH370

Chen Wenrong (L), military attache of the Chinese embassy who led the special emergency unit, Consul-General Huang Qinguo (C) of the Chinese Consulate in Perth, and unit member Qu Boxun brief the media in the western Australian city of Perth, March 21, 2014. The Chinese embassy in Australia on Friday sent a special emergency unit to the western city of Perth, which will work with the Chinese consulate-general to cooperate with the Australian side to search the missing Malaysian flight MH370. (Xinhua/Xu Yanyan)

The Chinese embassy in Australia on Friday sent a special emergency unit to the western city of Perth, which will work with the Chinese consulate-general to cooperate with the Australian side to search the missing Malaysian flight MH370.

Chen Wenrong, military attache of the Chinese embassy who led the unit, told Xinhua that the Chinese military has worked very quickly to respond to the new situation, according to the decision of Chinese government.

The Chinese naval vessels has changed its mission near Indonesia and turned to the south Indian Ocean, and two military aircraft will arrive in Perth on Saturday and work together with the Australian forces, said Chen.

According to the Consul-General Huang Qinguo, the Chinese icebreaker "Xuelong" has left Perth for the south Indian Ocean to search possible debris for the missing plane.

"We will stay in close contact with the Australian side and monitor the ongoing situation," he told Xinhua.

The Australian Maritime Safety Authority search operation for Malaysia Airlines flight MH370 on Friday has concluded without any sightings.