1st Ld-Writethru: Chinese premier calls on Malaysia to continue to exert all efforts to find MH370

Chinese Premier Li Keqiang called on Malaysia to continue to exert all efforts to find Malaysia Airlines flight MH370 and its passengers.

Li made the remarks at a joint press conference with visiting French Prime Minister Manuel Valls after their talks in the Great Hall of the People in Beijing.

Li firstly offered deep sympathy and expressed sincere condolence to all the passengers on board, including 154 Chinese nationals and four French nationals.

"It is a hard time for the families of everyone on board and all of us as well," Li said.

Malaysian Airlines flight MH370, with 239 people on board, disappeared shortly after taking off from Kuala Lumpur on March 8 en-route to Beijing.

Director General of Malaysian Department of Civil Aviation Azharuddin Abdul Rahman said on Thursday that the Malaysian government officially declared MH370 an accident, and all 239 people on board the plane were presumed dead.

Li said China, together with the international community, have spared no efforts in investigating the incident and offering help to families of passengers since the airplane went missing.

"In the following stage, the Chinese government will continue its search efforts and other related works," said Li.

"We hope Malaysia will act on its commitment and continue search and investigation efforts, fulfill its compensation obligation, especially to make every possible effort to find the whereabouts of the plane and the passengers," the premier said. Endi