WORLD
Malaysia Airlines MH370: China demands proof of jet 'crash' in Indian Ocean
Baku, March 25 (AZERTAC). China has demanded that Malaysia turn over satellite data it used to conclude that a passenger jet was lost in the southern Indian Ocean with no survivors during a flight to Beijing.
Among the Malaysia Airlines flight's 239 passengers, 153 were Chinese nationals, making the incident a highly emotional one for Beijing.
Relatives of the missing passengers have complained bitterly about a lack of reliable information and some suspect they are not being told the whole truth.
Deputy foreign minister Xie Hangsheng told Malaysia's ambassador to Beijing that China wanted to know what exactly led Malaysia to announce that the plane had been lost, China's Foreign Ministry said on its website.
"We demand the Malaysian side to make clear the specific basis on which they come to this judgment," Mr Xie was quoted as telling Datuk Iskandar Bin Sarudin during their meeting.
There was no immediate response from the Malaysian side.
The announcement sparked mournful, angry and chaotic scenes at the Beijing hotel where relatives had gathered.
A group of family members read out a statement condemning Malaysia Airlines and the Malaysian government and military and vowing to hold them responsible for the deaths of their loved ones.
Relatives plan to stage a further protest outside the Malaysian embassy in Beijing.