PLAN hospital ship Peace Ark on a mission of friendship

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‍The Chinese PLA naval hospital ship Peace Ark has been widely known for its involvement in humanitarian assistance and disaster relief across the globe. The ship, serving the East Sea Fleet, is responsible for treating and evacuating casualties during wartime, and during peacetime, it offers free medical service to civilians both in China and abroad.

Captain Guo Baofeng said the ship has traveled for 15,000 hours and contributed to global friendship. “The Peace Ark has visited 37 countries and regions since it was launched. It gives us a sense of fulfillment to heal the wounded and rescue the dying,” Guo explained to CGTN, adding that, as a responsible team, they went to the Philippines in 2013 to save those affected by typhoon.

Guo Baofeng, captain of the Chinese PLA naval hospital ship Peace Ark /CGTN Photo

Peace Ark is China’s first domestically developed 10,000-ton level hospital ship. It has a total area of 4,000 square meters and facilities on the ship are as good as those in a top class hospital. With five medical divisions, eight operating rooms and 300 beds, it is able to treat more than 1,000 patients at the same time.

This ship has reached more than 180,000 patients across the world, covering Asia-Pacific, Africa and the Caribbean since its launch in 2008.

The Chinese PLA naval hospital ship Peace Ark /Xinhua Photo

Li Xuezhou is a trained radiologist from a military medical school. He’s been working on the ship for 10 years since it was commissioned in 2008.

“I have visited many places on board this ship. It not only helps expand my horizon, but provides a chance to help the Chinese army reach out to people around the world. It requires a higher standard of medical skills to meet various demands from the patients,” Li told CGTN.

Li expressed his hopes to continue the service on Peace Ark, and within his reach, to visit as many countries and regions as possible to help those in need, and relieve their pains.