Efforts to find missing Malaysian Airlines flight MH370 have spread to two corridors north and south of the latest known location of the aircraft.

In the north China said it had begun a land search for the missing Boeing 777-200ER, while Australia was narrowing its search area in the south.

The plane has been missing since March 8th with 239 people on board.

At present some 26 countries are involved in the search, with Malaysian authorities recently confirming the plane was intentionally diverted from its planned route while over the Malacca Straits.

A total of 153 Chinese nationals were on board the missing aircraft, which was flying from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing.

However, based on background checks, there was no evidence to suggest that the mainland Chinese passengers on the plane were involved in hijacking, Chinese authorities have said.

China said it had also deployed 21 satellites to help with the search.

The US says it is using patrol aircraft including the P-8A Poseidon and P-3C Orion to continue search efforts, with the P-8 taking part in search efforts in the south corridor.