The People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) has deployed its Type 920 Anwei-class hospital ship Peace Ark (T-AH 866) to French Polynesia for the first time, China Military Online, the website of the semi-official newspaper PLA Daily , reported on 22 October.
The vessel arrived at the port of Papeete on 20 October and was scheduled to stay for five days. The ship was open for public visits for four of the five days, according to the report. "In addition, the medical workers on the Peace Ark will give health checks and treatment of common diseases for local people and Chinese nationals living in French Polynesia," the report added.
The visit was conducted as part of the PLAN's 'Harmonious Mission 2015' deployment: a diplomacy and medical exchange programme that will see Peace Arkvisit seven Pacific Ocean countries. The deployment has already encompassed Australia, where the ship made its maiden visit on 7 October when it berthed in Brisbane for five days.
Peace Ark then moved on to French Polynesia and will also visit Mexico, Barbados, Grenada, Peru, and the United States.
Chinese hospital ship makes inaugural visit to French Polynesia - IHS Jane's 360
