CHINA’s Navy Hospital Peace Ark has left the Solomon Islands for Timor-Leste.
The Southeast Asian nation will be the last stop of the initiative known as the Harmonious Mission 2023.
The hospital ship embarked on a seven-day visit and medical service mission to the Solomon Islands from August 19 to 26.
Peace Ark visited the Solomon Islands for the first time and provided free medical services to the local people and Chinese residents during its one-week stay.
It has sailed to Timor-Leste for a seven-day visit and will also provide medical service there.
Peace Ark left East China’s Zhejiang Province in July with 126 medical personnel on board.
The 14,300-metric-tonne ship visited Kiribati, Tonga, Vanuatu, Solomon Islands and East Timor.
Thousands of patients benefitted from the free medical services offered during its three-month overseas mission.
China has been building closer ties with countries in the Pacific in recent years.
The diplomatic mission took place amid competition with the United States and its allies for influence in the region.
