Naval hospital ship returns to Zhoushan after humanitarian trip

An officer of the Peace Ark hugs his daughter happily upon return. [Photo/chinanews.com] 

Chinese naval hospital ship Peace Ark (Hull 866) arrived at a naval port in Zhoushan, East China's Zhejiang province on Jan 18 after accomplishing her "Harmonious Mission 2018" humanitarian mission of providing free medical services to 10 countries in Oceania and Central and South America.

The ship, which set sail from her homeport of Zhoushan on June 28, 2018, traveled 31,800 nautical miles on the journey for 205 days and became the first Chinese naval vessel to dock in Venezuela, Dominica, Antigua and Barbuda, and the Dominican Republic.

She features 18 clinical and 5 auxiliary departments, with 120 medical staff members selected from the Naval Medical University, and is equipped with a ship-borne heli-ambulance.

Being the Peace Ark's 7th "Harmonious Mission", she set several new records for the mission in its history, with the fewest task members sent, the longest traveling hours and the most visited countries on its journey.

The task group treated 50,884 patients and performed 288 surgeries, and organized many emergency medical rescue drills with foreign counterparts. 

They also met 14 state heads and government leaders, and were invited to the 200th anniversary of the founding of the Chilean navy. 

The Peace Ark ship strengthened the cooperation between China and these regions in armed forces and the medical fields, and was hailed as a "name card for China" in the new era. 

She was awarded a collective first-class merit by the Chinese navy on Dec 29, 2018, the year of which marked the 10th year of the Peace Ark serving the navy.

Chinese naval hospital ship Peace Ark (Hull 866) arrives at a naval port in Zhoushan, East China's Zhejiang province on Jan 18. [Photo/chinanews.com]

The naval leaders of the Eastern Theater Command of the People's Liberation Army queue in line to welcome the return of the Peace Ark crew. [Photo/chinanews.com]