By Zhang Yongxing and Jiang Shan
PORT of NUKUALOFA, TONGA, Aug. 16 (ChinaMil) -- Akilisi Pohiva, Tongan Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs, boarded the Chinese naval hospital ship Peace Ark on Wednesday, expressing his appreciation for the selfless assistance rendered by the Chinese government and its people.
Aboard the Peace Ark, Akilisi Pohiva reviewed the honor guard of Chinese sailors, toured the medical facilities and visited the medical staff and local patients.
He praised the advanced facilities and medical equipment onboard and the Chinese medical personnel's excellent skills, especially the humanitarian spirit reflected by the Peace Ark.
On the occasion of the 20th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between Tonga and China, Peace Ark’s visit to Tonga demonstrates and enhances the friendship between the two countries, Akilisi Pohiva said, adding that he hopes Tonga-China strategic partnership will keep moving forward.
The Chinese naval hospital ship Peace Ark (Hull 866) arrived on Monday at the Port of Nukualofa to provide medical service for local citizens, overseas Chinese and personnel of the Chinese institutions in Tonga.
Up to 16:30 on August 15, local time, medical personnel of the Peace Ark had provided diagnosis and treatment for totally 2588 persons and auxiliary examinations for 1204 persons, with 13 inpatients and 14 cases of surgery.