Chinese hospital ship returns home after goodwill visit to Cambodia

Chinese hospital ship "Peace Ark" on Monday sailed home after paying a week-long goodwill visit to Cambodia to further enhance China-Cambodia ties and to provide medical services to local residents.

Vice-Admiral Hing Puthdara, deputy commander of Cambodia's Sea Base, and Chinese Ambassador to Cambodia Bu Jianguo as well as some Cambodian military officers saw the ship off at the Sihanoukville Autonomous Port on Monday.

"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 arrived at Cambodia's sea port last Tuesday. During the stay, Chinese medical crew had provided medical treatment to 8, 170 Cambodian patients including 65 cases of surgeries, Shen Hao said at the see-off ceremony.

Vice Admiral Hing Puthdara, on behalf of Cambodian people, expressed heartfelt and sincere thanks to Chinese medics for giving free medical services to Cambodian people and military personnel.

He said the ship's visit has created closer ties between Chinese medical staff and Cambodian residents and military officers.

"Peace Ark" 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 theaters, and is capable of accommodating 40 major surgeries a day.

Cambodia was the last leg of the ship's tour to eight countries, which included Brunei, Maldives, Pakistan, India, Bangladesh, Myanmar and Indonesia.