Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Xie Hangsheng met with Ong Ka Ting, Malaysian Prime Minister's Special Envoy to China, in Beijing on Tuesday.

The Chinese government and people are deeply concerned and anxious about the missing flight MH370 and the fate of the passengers on board, Xie told Ong.

Xie said China appreciates and recognizes Malaysia's sincerity and efforts in the search and rescue. "But we also urge Malaysia to step up efforts and work with Chinese search and rescue forces, and never give up the slightest hope."

"We hope Malaysia can carefully listen to the families of the Chinese passengers, answer their doubts and appeals and keep them updated on the progress of the search and rescue," Xie said,

China is willing to keep close touch and cooperation with Malaysia, Xie said.

Ong expressed condolences to China on behalf of Prime Minister Najib Razak and extended deep sympathies to the families of the Chinese passengers.

Malaysia will spare no effort to conduct search and rescue and comfort the families of the Chinese passengers, Ong said.

The Boeing 777 aircraft disappeared from radar early Saturday morning while carrying 227 passengers and 12 crew members from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing. Among the passengers, 154 are Chinese.

Dozens of ships and planes from around 10 countries, including China, Malaysia, Vietnam, Singapore and the United States, are scouring the waters around Flight MH370's last known location, but no solid clues have been found so far.