The Chinese naval hospital ship Peace Ark arrives at Port Vila, Vanuatu, on August 8. (Photo by Li Yu)
By Liu Bo and Li Weixin
PORT VILA, Vanuatu, Aug. 9 -- The Chinese PLA Navy's hospital ship Peace Ark, which is performing the Harmonious Mission 2023, arrived at Port Vila, Vanuatu, the third stop of the mission on August 8, to begin a friendly visit and provide seven-day humanitarian medical service.
The Vanuatu side held a grand welcoming ceremony at the dock, which was attended by Vanuatu Prime Minister Ishmael Kalsakau, Chinese Ambassador to Vanuatu, and representatives from both sides. Local people dressed in traditional costumes performed a welcome dance and presented traditional ornaments to the visiting Chinese guests.
During the ship's stay in Vanuatu, it will receive patients on board and arrange medical visits to local hospitals, villages and communities to provide medical service. In addition, the troops will also carry out academic exchanges and play friendly basketball match with Vanuatu's police force, and go to local schools for health awareness promotion and cultural exchange.
The Republic of Vanuatu is located in the southwest of the Pacific Ocean. China's medical assistance to Vanuatu can date back to 30 years ago with more than 220 medical staff in 25 batches dispatched to Vanuatu. In August 2014 and July 2018, Peace Ark visited the country and delivered humanitarian medical service, providing over 12,000 times of medical service for local patients.