Chinese MH370 relatives ask to meet Malaysia PM

BEIJING (AFP) – Chinese relatives of those who disappeared on board Malaysia Airlines Flight MH370 on Thursday asked to meet the country's Prime Minister (PM) Mahathir Mohamad when he visits China this week.

The plane disappeared in March 2014 with 239 people – mostly from China – on board, while en route from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing.

Amid a heavy police presence, about a dozen relatives gathered outside the Malaysian Embassy in Beijing where they handed over a letter addressed to the Malaysian government.

''We ask that Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir, or other representatives (of the Malaysian government) meet with Chinese relatives of those on board MH370 during the official visit,'' the letter read.

Mahathir, who became Malaysia's premier for a second time after a shock election victory in May, will arrive in China Friday for a five-day visit, including a meeting with Chinese Premier Li Keqiang on Monday.

Other requests include resuming the search, a monthly meeting with airline and Malaysian officials, as well as for investigators to thoroughly explain the recent investigation report.

A similar letter was also given to the foreign ministry.

Relatives had earlier this month expressed frustration that the long-awaited official report – totaling some 1,500 pages – had no new clues about the missing airliner and had not been translated into Chinese.