Chinese hospital ship arrives in Cambodia

Chinese hospital ship "Peace Ark" arrives at the Sihanoukville Autonomous Port, Cambodia, Sept. 24, 2013. Chinese hospital ship "Peace Ark" arrived at the Sihanoukville Autonomous Port on Tuesday as part of its overseas voyage to further enhance China- Cambodia ties and to provide medical services to local residents. (Xinhua/Li Hong)

Chinese hospital ship "Peace Ark" arrived at the Sihanoukville Autonomous Port on Tuesday as part of its overseas voyage to further enhance China- Cambodia ties and to provide medical services to local residents.

At the port, the ship was cordially greeted by Lt. Gen. Kong Saly, chief of Cambodia's Defense Ministry's health department, Chinese Ambassador to Cambodia Bu Jianguo, and other military officers.

The Peace Ark is headed by Commander Shen Hao, who is also the former deputy chief of staff of the East Sea Fleet of the Chinese Navy Rear Admiral.

The ship's visit was to provide medical service to local people and militaries, and conduct medical exchanges.

Shen Hao said the visit and medical service would further develop mutual understanding and trust between Chinese and Cambodian militaries and further consolidate the traditional friendship between the two countries.

"The visit is also to contribute to the celebration of the 55th anniversary of the establishment of China-Cambodia diplomatic ties and the China-Cambodia Year of Friendship," he said.

Lt. Gen. Kong Saly said the ship's week-long visit would help create closer ties between Chinese medical staff and Cambodian counterparts and local people.

He expressed heartfelt thanks to the ship's crew for providing free-of-charge medical services to Cambodian military personnel and locals.

"Ark Peace" is the first indigenous maritime hospital, with full load displacement over 10,000 tons.

The hospital ship has 300 beds, 20 ICUs, eight surgical operating theatres, and is capable of accommodating 40 major surgeries a day.

During the hospital ship's one-week visit to Cambodia, medical crew will provide free on board service for local residents as well as Cambodian military personnel which include outpatient service, hospital care, surgical treatment and health check.

Medical teams will also be dispatched to selected local communities and primary schools to provide heath check and treatment.

Activities such as demonstration of traditional Chinese medical treatment, academic and cultural exchanges are also being planned.

Before sailing to Cambodia, "Ark Peace" had visited Brunei, Maldives, Pakistan, India, Bangladesh, Myanmar and Indonesia.