Peace Ark hospital ship returns to Zhoushan

The Chinese naval hospital ship known as the Peace Ark has returned to its home port in the city of Zhoushan in east China's Zhejiang province.

The vessel has just completed a 113-day journey that included the RIMPAC military exercise in Hawaii, and Mission Harmony-2014, providing medical assistance in the South Pacific Island countries of Tonga, Fiji, Vanuatu and Papua New Guinea.

The Peace Ark has opened a new chapter in naval diplomacy. It visited 22 countries, participating in many joint operations, where it provided medical services to more than 80,000 people.

"This journey is an important one to reflect the new type of military to military relations between China and the US. It is also an important event to strengthen friendly ties with South Pacific nations," said Xu Hongmeng, vice admiral and deputy commander of PLA Navy.

More than a thousand doctors and nurses from a dozen military hospitals in China served on the ship during its nearly four-month journey.

This was Xue Yu's second ocean voyage. She serves in the PLA's Naval hospital in Beijing. The 31-year-old doctor said she feels so proud helping people in other countries.

"All patients are the same, no matter Chinese or foreign. I could see their excitement in their eyes. The joy of being healthy is universal," said Xue.

Commissioned in 2008, the Peace Ark is purpose-built vessel. Much of its equipment is China's most advanced.

Performing surgery at sea is a challenge. But the Peace Ark has managed to overcome those difficulties with state-of-the art technology.

"Through joint cooperation with foreign navies, our overall capabilities of maritime search and rescue, as well as humanitarian aid in different situations have been greatly improved. We have shared our experience with others navies, too," said Peace Ark doctor Zhang Zhiyong.

The large scale naval hospital is a symbol of a navy's push to modernize.

To many Chinese officers, the Peace Ark provides humanitarian assistance and sends messages of goodwill, responsibility and the growing confidence of China.

In the past decade China has been more active in terms of international naval diplomacy. The Peace Ark is the PLA's latest move in shaping China's global image for peaceful development.