MK sportater Command, Naval Medical University and some family members of mission officers and soldiers greet the return of Chinese naval hospital ship Peace Ark on January 16, 2024. Photo: China Bugle" src="https://www.globaltimes.cn/Portals/0/attachment/2025/2025-01-16/e3cf7cfb-acf5-4e3f-88d0-1646e86ad726.jpg" />Leaders of the Chinese PLA Eastern Theater Command, Naval Medical University and some family members of mission officers and soldiers greet the return of Chinese naval hospital ship Peace Ark on January 16, 2024. Photo: China Bugle

Chinese naval hospital ship Peace Arkcompleted its Mission Harmony-2024 on Thursday and returned to a military port in Zhoushan, East China's Zhejiang Province, as reported by China Bugle.

Leaders of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) Eastern Theater Command, Naval Medical University and some family members of mission officers and soldiers welcomed the ship's return at the pier, the report noted.

Since setting sail on June 16, 2024, the Peace Arkhas visited 13 countries, including Seychelles, Tanzania, Madagascar, Mozambique, South Africa, Angola and Congo, with technical stops in Algeria and Singapore. 

The mission lasted 215 days and covered more than 30,000 nautical miles. This marked the first visit by a Chinese naval vessel to Benin and Mauritania, marking a new record for the longest mission duration and the highest number of countries visited in the "Mission Harmony" series.

During the period of medical services, the hospital ship provided on-board consultations and deployed medical detachments to deliver treatment of common and multiple diseases to local residents, Chinese organization personnel, overseas Chinese and other groups. 

A total of 82,980 people were treated, 733 individuals underwent examinations, and 274 were hospitalized, 1,392 surgeries were conducted, along with 38,460 auxiliary examinations, according to the report.

Among them, 204 cataract surgeries were performed, and four new babies were born, setting a new record for the "Mission Harmony" missions. The professional standard and warm services of Chinese military doctors received high praises from the governments and people of the visited countries.

The officers and soldiers of the mission also engaged in visits, professional seminars, cultural exchanges and sports activities with relevant countries. They also hosted more than 4,800 visitors in 150 batches on board the ship.

Global Times