PORT of NUKUALOFA, TONGA, Aug. 14 (ChinaMil) -- The Chinese naval hospital ship Peace Ark (Hull 866) arrived on Monday at the Port of Nukualofa, Tonga, the fourth stop of its “Harmonious Mission 2018”, for an eight-day friendly visit and humanitarian medical service.
Guided by a Tongan Navy patrol boat, the Peace Ark sailed into the Port of Nukualofa at about 10 a.m. The Tongan side held a grand welcoming ceremony at the port.
Tonga’s Acting Prime Minister Semisi Sika and Chinese Ambassador to Tonga Wang Baodong, local citizens as well as overseas Chinese and representatives of the Chinese enterprises in Tonga attended the welcoming ceremony.
At the ceremony, Semisi Sika, on behalf of the Tonga government, warmly welcomed the Peace Ark' second visit and expressed sincere thanks to the Chinese government and its people for their support and assistance over the years.
Ambassador Wang Baodong said, on the occasion of the 20th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Tonga, the Peace Ark’s visit to Tonga has a special significance, which will promote win-win cooperation in health and military fields between the two countries and deepen friendship between the two peoples.
The commander of the “Harmonious Mission 2018” said in the speech that the Peace Ark will benefit more Tongan people with sincere goodwill, excellent medical skills, and attentive medical services, so as to further promote the China-Tonga strategic partnership.
After the ceremony, personnel from the Tongan side boarded the Peace Ark for a visit and praised its professional design and advanced medical equipment.
