Missing jet: Chinese ship detects pulse signal in Indian Ocean

Also, a Chinese air force plane searching for the jet spotted a number of white floating objects in the search area today.

The plane photographed the objects over a period of 20 minutes after spotting them at 11:05 local time. An Australian pilot on board the plane reported the information to the Joint Agency Coordination Center (JACC), which is coordinating the massive multinational search in the southern Indian Ocean.

The plane was the first to leave Perth International Airport for the day's search schedule today. It arrived at the designated area, about 2,700 kilometres from Perth, this morning.

JACC said in a statement that the weather forecast for today's search is fair, with possible showers in the search area.

However, Xinhua reported that search conditions were difficult with gales of 4-5 m/sec, waves of 1 to 2 metres and a cloud ceiling of about 200 metres.  Earlier today, Malaysia vowed it will not give up on efforts to search the missing airliner.

Acting Transport Minister Hishammuddin Hussein told reporters in Kuala Lumpur the cost of the ongoing search was immaterial as compared to giving solace to the families of people on board the ill-fated plane.

“I can only speak for Malaysia, and Malaysia will not stop looking for MH370,” Hishammuddin said, adding the search will continue “with the same level of vigour and intensity.”

In line with international agreements, Malaysia will appoint an independent investigator to lead an international team to probe what happened to MH370, he said.  The team will include Australia, China, the US, Britain and France.