China's hospital ship on goodwill visit to Venezuela

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Europe

02:05

China's hospital ship, the Peace Ark, has spent this week in Venezuela on a goodwill visit. The ship has treated more than 180,000 people since it was launched in 2007.

It is the largest purpose-built floating hospital with eight operating theaters and 300 hospital beds aboard the 14,000 ton Peace Ark, and it made its first visit to Venezuela.

Venezuela's Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino Lopez said its arrival was a sign of growing ties between China and Venezuela and their armed forces.

Venezuelan dancers welcome Chinese hospital ship Peace Ark upon its arrival at the port of La Guaira, September 22, 2018. /VCG Photo

"At this very moment, taking advantage of the arrival of this ship," Lopez said, "we are performing extraordinary operations in all the military hospitals of the National Bolivarian Armed Forces."

The entrance to the port near Caracas had a steady stream of people hoping they would be seen by the Chinese doctors.

"The Chinese doctors make a diagnosis, give medicine, and tell you what your problem is. They were very kind," said a woman who was treated for a suspected neck injury.

Partial view of the Chinese hospital ship Peace Ark upon arrival at the port of La Guaira, September 22, 2018 /VCG Photo

Another had seen news of the ship's arrival on television and had then set off on a journey of over 100 miles seeking help for his wife's heart condition.

"I want my wife to have a catheterism but I don't have the resources to pay for it, so I thought here it would be possible. But I can't get in."

Many people are grateful for the treatment they've received on board the Chinese hospital ship.

Venezuela is the fifth stop of Peace Ark after it visited four countries, including Fiji, in Oceania. The hospital ship set sail in June in east China's Zhejiang Province in a mission of enhancing friendship and peace.