PLA hospital ship Peace Ark concludes visit to Fiji

The Chinese naval hospital ship Peace Ark left the Fijian capital city of Suva on Thursday after wrapping up an eight-day good-will visit to the South Pacific island nation.

At a farewell ceremony which was attended by the Chinese Ambassador Qian Bo, local citizens as well as overseas Chinese and representatives of the Chinese enterprises, Commander of the Fijian armed forces Rear Admiral Viliame Naupoto bade farewell on behalf of the Fijian government and military, expressing his gratitude once again and looking forward to Peace Ark’s visit in the future.

During the visit which started on August 2, the commanders of Mission Harmony – 2018 respectively paid courtesy calls on Fijian Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama and Rear Admiral Viliame Naupoto, commander of the Fijian armed forces, toured Queen Elizabeth Barracks and received 24 senior Fijian military officers and government officials for their ship tour or medical treatment as well.

Prime Minister Bainimarama boarded the ship on three occasions to visit the medical staff and local patients.

Peace Ark deployed 12 batches of medical teams to local health centers for medical service within four days while conducting all-weather consultation and treatment on the major platform onboard.

By overcoming difficulties, such as flight in unfamiliar airspace overseas, no take-off and landing information available and crossing two air control zones, the rescue helicopter carrying a medical team flew to the island of Vatulele to provide the most needed medical services for the islanders.