In the afternoon of March 15, 2014, Vice Foreign Minister Xie Hangsheng called an urgent meeting with Malaysian Ambassador to China Datuk Iskandar Sarudin.

Xie Hangsheng noted that, the Chinese government and the whole nation highly concerned about the latest information announced by the Malaysian side on the loss of contact of the Malaysia Airlines flight. We had an urgent meeting and decided to urge Malaysia to continue intensifying the search and rescue efforts, and to keep close communication with China on adjustments in search and rescue deployment, and continue to provide China with more comprehensive and accurate information.

Xie Hangsheng said that the whereabouts of the flight remain unknown, the families of the Chinese passengers on board are extremely anxious. The Malaysian side should take their responsibility to properly pacify the families. A team of technical experts sent by China have departed tonight for Malaysia to join the Chinese Government Joint Work Team. We asked the Malaysian side to continue offering maximum support and assistance.

Datuk Iskandar Sarudin said that Malaysia fully understands China's request, and will continue to spare no efforts in the search and rescue work and in consoling the families, and support the Chinese work team for their jobs.