Eleven years after MH370 disappeared, Jiang Hui continues to search for answers about his mother, one of 239 people aboard the missing flight. The Malaysian government says the search will resume at the end of December, and a Beijing court has ordered compensation for some families totaling more than 2.9 million yuan. Families remain frustrated by a lack of transparency and 23 compensation cases are pending because relatives have not declared loved ones legally deceased.
11 Years After MH370 Vanished, Son of Passenger Keeps Pressing for Answers as Search Set To Resume
Jiang Hui has spent more than a decade seeking answers to his mother's disappearance on Malaysia Airlines flight MH370 (Pedro PARDO)(Pedro PARDO/AFP/AFP)
Eleven years after Malaysia Airlines flight MH370 disappeared en route from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing, Jiang Hui continues a personal campaign to find out what happened to his mother, Jiang Cuiyun, who was among the 239 people on board.
Background
MH370 vanished from radar on March 8, 2014. Despite the largest search in aviation history, the aircraft has never been located, and the mystery still haunts families of the victims—two-thirds of whom were Chinese nationals.
Jiang's Search For Answers
Jiang, 52, remembers his mother waving goodbye as she left with a bag slung over her shoulder and a promise to return with souvenirs. He has spent more than a decade pushing for renewed investigations and supporting other relatives of Chinese victims. He runs a social media group where families share updates and press authorities for details about the resumed search.
"Finding the plane, finding my loved one, and finding the truth — I believe this is something I must do in my life," Jiang told reporters.
Legal And Official Developments
The Malaysian government has announced plans to resume the search at the end of December. Separately, a Beijing court ordered the airline to pay more than 2.9 million yuan (about $411,000) in compensation to some families this week. However, 23 compensation cases remain pending—including Jiang's—because some relatives have not legally declared their loved ones deceased, a step that many find painful and difficult.
Jiang and other relatives say they have received little information about the new search: they want coordinates of the planned search area and details about the vessels and equipment to be used, but say their requests have gone unanswered. Some families fear the renewed effort may be symbolic rather than substantive.
Personal Toll
When the official search was suspended in 2017, Jiang said that period was the most difficult. His apartment is filled with reminders of the case—books on the disaster, a model Boeing 777, T-shirts from family gatherings and files containing letters, court records and maps. He calls these "historical records" of the decade-long effort to find the truth.
Despite frustration with authorities and the emotional cost of pressing for answers, Jiang says he will continue. He describes his mother as a hardworking woman who sacrificed for her family, and believes uncovering the truth is the most meaningful way to honor her memory.
