No proof Chinese satellite images linked to missing Malaysian plane

Three suspicious floating objects. [Photo/sastind.gov.cn]

China's civil aviation chief said there was no proof that floating objects in the South China Sea seen by satellite were connected to a missing Malaysia Airlines aircraft.

"Chinese satellites have found smoke and floating objects. At present we cannot confirm this is related to the missing aircraft," Li Jiaxiang told China Daily during the annual session of the National People’s Congress, China's parliament, on Thursday.

A satellite found three floating objects in an area where the missing Malaysian plane could be, according to the State Administration for Science, Technology and Industry for National Defense.

The body said on its website on Wednesday that the three objects were monitored at 6.7 degrees north latitude and 105.63 degrees east longitude, spreading across an area with a radius of 20 kilometers.

The jet, carrying 239 people, vanished early on Saturday, and its whereabouts remained a mystery as the multinational search entered its sixth day.

Li also said a Malaysian special envoy has agreed to China’s requests to widen search areas and keep information, especially search target areas, transparent.

China is sending an expert group to provide possible aviation technology-related help, Li told China Daily.

Previous speculation that Malaysia military concealed key information was premature, said Li, adding that there was no solid evidence to make such assumptions.