Chinese patrol ship Haixun 01, and a navy vessel, Jinggangshan, which carries two helicopters, reached the new search area in the past few hours.

Chinese aircraft also flew on Saturday over the area, north-east of the previous zone, and have spotted more objects, Xinhua state news agency said.

Beijing-bound flight MH370 disappeared after taking off from Kuala Lumpur on 8 March with 239 people on board.

Chinese patrol ship Haixun 01, and a navy vessel, Jinggangshan, which carries two helicopters, reached the new search area in the past few hours.