'Peace Ark' launches 'Harmonious Mission 2014'

The "Peace Ark" hospital ship of the Chinese People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) which has just wrapped up the "Rim of Pacific 2014" (RIMPAC 2014) military exercise steered out of the Pearl Harbor at 12:00, local time, and set sail for Tonga, Fiji, Vanuatu and Papua and New Guinea for visit and medical service for local people. The mission is coded "Harmonious Mission 2014".

This is the fourth time for the "Peace Ark" hospital ship to perform the "Harmonious Mission".

Shen Hao, commander of the mission and deputy commander of the East China Sea Fleet of the PLAN, said that the "Harmonious Mission 2014" is of important significance for China to consolidate and develop the friendship, exchanges and cooperation with the South Pacific countries and their people, and for the PLAN to explore and standard patterns for overseas missions.

Wang Haiwei, medical director of the maritime hospital, said that 49 types of medical appliances and over 420 types of medicines including gastrointestinal endoscope and portable electrocardiograph were newly prepared on the "Peace Ark" hospital ship in addition to the existing medical facilities.