China appeals 'urgently' to Malaysia for information about missing plane to speed search

BEIJING – China has urged Malaysia's government to release any information it has regarding the missing Malaysia Airlines jetliner to help narrow the search area.

Friday's appeal by the Foreign Ministry reflects growing frustration among Chinese officials over mixed and conflicting information about the plane, which vanished nearly a week ago with 239 people aboard.

A Foreign Ministry spokesman, Hong Lei, said at a news briefing that Beijing "urgently appeals" for any information regarding the search.

Hong said that would "help all sides in the search to make their search more effective and accurately targeted."