Chinese hospital ship 'Peace Ark' leaves India

The Chinese People's Liberation Army Navy hospital ship "Peace Ark" left port of Mumbai Monday to continue its tour to eight destinations around Asian and African countries.

The hospital ship, carrying out "Mission Harmony-2013" plan, ended its six-day visit to India's biggest city and left for next stop -- Bangladesh's premier port and continued its providing of medical treatment service and military exchange there.

Led by Consul General of the People's Republic of China Liu Youfa, people from Chinese consulate and Chinese companies in Mumbai bid farewell to naval surgeons, navy officials and sailors on "Peace Ark" .

Delegation from the Indian navy and navy hospital was also present for bidding farewell to Chinese counterparts. Navy band performed music such as "Old Lang Syne" to send off the Chinese hospital ship.

During their stay in Mumbai, the ship crew visited the Asvini Hospital and Brahmaputra class frigate of Indian navy. Sailors from the two countries played friendship football and basketball match, which enhanced mutual understanding and friendship between the two navies.

The hospital ship "Peace Ark" set sail from Zhoushan, China's Zhejiang Province on June 10. By far, "Peace Ark" has visited five destinations including Brunei, Maldives, Gulf of Aden, Pakistan and India during the mission.

As an emergency medical support platform, the ship is independently designed and built by China. Its tasks include treatment and evacuation of injured and sick personnel on the sea and medical support for troops stationed at islands and atolls.

Some 4,000 square meters in size, the ship comprises seven offices for doctors and nurses and eight nurse stations, in addition to 300 beds. The medical equipment on the ship is on par with that in China's top-level hospitals.