The hospital ship "Peace Ark," operated by the Chinese Navy, docked at a port in Zhoushan, Zhejiang province, after a lengthy 215-day deployment. Launched on June 16, 2024, as part of the "Mission Harmony-2024" series, the vessel marked a record-setting journey, covering more than 30,000 nautical miles while delivering humanitarian medical care across 13 nations in Asia and Africa.
Throughout its voyage, the ship visited a diverse range of countries, including the Seychelles, Tanzania, Madagascar, Mozambique, South Africa, Djibouti, and Sri Lanka. The on-board medical team treated thousands of patients by managing 82,980 cases of common illnesses and performing 1,392 surgeries. In addition to medical assistance, the crew engaged in professional seminars as well as cultural and sports exchanges, fostering closer bonds with the host nations.
Notably, the "Peace Ark" represents a milestone in Chinese maritime design, being the first standard ocean-going hospital ship that was independently engineered and constructed by China. Since the inception of its "Mission Harmony" series in August 2010, the vessel has visited 49 countries and regions, providing essential medical support to over 370,000 people globally.
14 Comments
Bella Ciao
“The focus on engineering milestones hides the fact that overall global health challenges remain ignored.”
Muchacha
“The ship’s journey and accomplishments prove that well-planned humanitarian missions can make a difference globally.”
Africa
“This operation highlights the positive role that modern technology and engineering can play in improving global health.”
Loubianka
“215 days and 30,000 nautical miles? It feels like they’re bragging about military might instead of focusing on real domestic needs.”
Noir Black
“While they boast about visits to 49 countries, the mission might be more about territorial influence than about medicine.”
Loubianka
“Such efforts are commendable on paper, but if they’re more about foreign policy than help, then what’s the real benefit?”
Pupsik
“A record-setting journey? Sounds more like a display of nationalism than a genuine humanitarian effort.”
Donatello
“This whole operation seems like a PR stunt to boost China’s image rather than genuine humanitarian aid.”
Golova Hvosta
“This is an outstanding achievement – a hospital ship spanning 13 nations and saving thousands of lives.”
Noir Black
“Huge respect for the crew and medical team who worked tirelessly to provide care to countless patients across Asia and Africa.”
BuggaBoom
“There’s a thin line between aid and political agenda, and this operation clearly leans toward the latter.”
Katchuka
“82,980 cases treated? It seems exaggerated and too conveniently packaged for self-promotion.”
KittyKat
“As a healthcare advocate, I applaud the dedication to treating nearly 83,000 cases and performing 1,392 surgeries!”
Donatello
“This is just another example of China using soft power to project control overseas.”