BEIJING - China on Tuesday has promised support for relatives of passengers after Malaysia announced missing Flight MH370 had crashed in the southern Indian Ocean.

The Chinese government has sent personnel to provide psychological support and legal aid to relatives of passengers in Beijing's Metro Park Lido Hotel, Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei said at a daily news briefing.

"The Chinese government has an unshirkable responsibility," Hong said.

There was hysteria in the Lido Hotel after Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak announced on Monday night the missing plane ended up in the southern Indian Ocean.

Deep sorrow and anger gripped about 200 relatives of passengers as they watched a live broadcast of the prime minister's press briefing at 10 p.m. at a hotel conference room.