China's navy hospital ship arrives in Madagascar for friendly visit

China

China's navy hospital ship arrives in Madagascar for friendly visit

2024-07-28 14:37 Last Updated At：15:07

The Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) Navy hospital ship Peace Ark arrived in Madagascar on Friday, starting a seven-day friendly visit and medical mission to the Indian Ocean island country.

The hospital ship sailed into the Port of Diego Suarez at 10:00 local time on Friday, marking its first visit to Madagascar.

Madagascar hosted a welcoming ceremony for the ship.

The Peace Ark is China's first institutionalized ocean-going hospital ship independently designed and built by China. Since its commission in 2008, the ship has taken the Harmonious Mission as its major mission and traveled overseas several times to carry out humanitarian medical services.

"After years of mission, the Peace Ark hospital ship has developed systematic medical service technologies and gained rich experience on medical treatment. While visiting Madagascar for the first time, we will send medical teams to local villages, hospitals, military bases to conduct joint medical treatment service and academic exchanges and let the high-quality medical treatment technologies and advanced academic theories reach more people in need," said Hong Miao from the Harmonious Mission .

During the visit, the mission commanders will engage in a series of exchange events, including meeting with Madagascar's military officers and government officials. Senior officials from the government of Madagascar will board the ship to participate in related activities.

"Peace Ark" set sail from a military port in Zhoushan in east China's Zhejiang Province in mid-June for Mission Harmony-2024.

During the mission, the ship will visit 13 countries, namely, Seychelles, Tanzania, Madagascar, Mozambique, South Africa, Angola, the Republic of the Congo, Gabon, Cameroon, Benin, Mauritania, Djibouti and Sri Lanka, and provide medical service to local people. It will also make port calls to France and Greece.

This is the 10th Mission Harmony for "Peace Ark" since its commissioning in 2008. The medics on-board will offer free diagnosis and treatment for common and prevalent diseases to local residents, people in Chinese institutions, and overseas Chinese through on-board clinics and on-site health services.

There are over 100 personnel on board the maritime hospital, featuring 17 clinical departments and 5 auxiliary diagnostic departments.

Brazilian President highlights positive relationship with President Xi

2024-11-16 11:40 Last Updated At：12:37

Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva emphasized his positive ties with Chinese President Xi Jinping, saying it is built on unity, trust, and mutual respect.

In a recent interview with China Media Group (CMG), President Lula highlighted the harmonious relations between himself and President Xi who will visit Brazil in a few days. He noted that both of them are committed to building a more just world and driving global progress and prosperity.

"During my visit to China, I was warmly welcomed in a way I don't often experience. (This time) I hope to return the kindness and warmth that President Xi had shown me and the Brazilian delegation before. President Xi and I have built a strong relationship of trust, as have our two countries. Both of us are committed to building a more just world, and we recognize that by strengthening our strategic partnership, we can contribute to the development of both China and Brazil, while also advancing global progress. If the world remains in hardship, we cannot prosper alone. My relationship with President Xi is based on unity, trust, and mutual respect, and I believe he shares the same view of Brazil. We must seize this historic moment to continue the growth of China and Brazil. Meanwhile, we can help other nations. China and Brazil can support Africa's development and promote prosperity in Latin America," said Lula.

The 19th G20 Summit is set to take place in Rio de Janeiro from Nov 18 to 19, and President Xi will attend the event and pay a state visit to Brazil from Nov 17 to 21, according to the Chinese Foreign Ministry.

During his visit, Xi will hold talks with Lula to discuss bilateral relations and exchange views on international and regional issues of mutual interest, the ministry said.