China prolongs search for missing flight

The Chinese supply ship Qiandaohu conducts a marine supply operation on the Chinese navy vessel Jinggangshan, in the southern Indian Ocean, on April 3, 2014. The four-ship Chinese naval flotilla searching for the missing Malaysia Airlines Flight MH370 reached new target area in the southern Indian Ocean Thursday, and their second round of marine supply has been accomplished. (Xinhua/Bai Ruixue)

Chief of the China Maritime Search and Rescue Center He Jianzhong said on Thursday that China is still searching for the Malaysia Airlines flight missing now for 27 days. [Special coverage]

"Chinese vessels, as a major search force, are continuing the most difficult maritime search in history," He said.

The official said that China's search forces, including 18 vessels, eight helicopters and three fixed-wing aircraft have searched up to 200,000 square kilometers of waters since the MH370 flight went missing.

China has mobilized more than 60 merchant ships and 20 fishing boats for their assistance in the search, however, all these efforts have failed to find clues to the fate of missing flight, he said.

The center has called on vessels to enhance the search for debris underwater and maintain close communication with Australia's search forces.