The Chinese Navy’s hospital ship Peace Ark has made a significant return to the Colombo Port in Sri Lanka as part of its ongoing “Harmony Mission-2024.” This marks the ship’s first visit to the island nation in seven years, following its previous visit during the “Harmony Mission” in 2017. The Peace Ark will remain in Sri Lanka for seven days, during which it will extend a hand of goodwill by offering medical services, fostering military collaboration, and engaging in cultural exchanges that strengthen ties between the two nations.
A formal welcome ceremony greeted the ship upon its arrival, a grand event attended by a diverse group of dignitaries. Representatives from the Sri Lankan government, the armed forces, the Chinese Embassy in Sri Lanka, and members of the overseas Chinese community, as well as employees of Chinese-funded institutions, gathered to mark the occasion. This warm reception underscored the mutual respect and growing partnership between the two countries, illustrating the significance of the Peace Ark’s visit in enhancing diplomatic and humanitarian relations.
Throughout its stay, the Peace Ark is dedicated to offering free medical services to the people of Sri Lanka. Its advanced medical facilities and highly professional staff are equipped to provide consultations, treatments, and health education, addressing gaps in healthcare access for the local population. This humanitarian effort forms part of China’s broader commitment to fostering global goodwill and providing vital aid to communities in need. The medical team’s focus on outreach and health promotion highlights the importance of international collaboration in addressing pressing healthcare challenges.
The ship’s visit is not limited to medical services. It also serves as a platform for military medical exchanges, allowing naval medical personnel from China and Sri Lanka to share knowledge and expertise. These interactions aim to enhance professional collaboration, with discussions centring on medical strategies and the advancement of healthcare practices within naval forces. The exchange of ideas and techniques is expected to leave a lasting impact, further solidifying the cooperative relationship between the two nations’ militaries.
Cultural and friendship activities form another key component of the Peace Ark’s mission in Sri Lanka. These activities, ranging from recreational events to collaborative programmes, aim to foster deeper understanding and camaraderie between personnel from both navies. By engaging in these shared experiences, participants strengthen interpersonal bonds and celebrate the values that unite them, contributing to a spirit of harmony and shared purpose.
China and Sri Lanka share a history of close diplomatic ties, officially established in 1957 and upgraded to a strategic partnership in 2013. Their relationship is founded on mutual assistance and enduring friendship, with Sri Lanka’s strategic location in the Indian Ocean making it a vital partner for regional and global cooperation. The Peace Ark’s visit is a reflection of these longstanding ties, as well as a testament to the ongoing efforts to promote peace and development in the region.
Commissioned in December 2008, the Peace Ark embodies the spirit of humanitarianism and international solidarity. Stretching 178 metres in length and equipped with advanced medical capabilities, the ship has earned its reputation as the “Ship of Life.” It features eight levels of deck space and an array of cutting-edge facilities, including eight operating rooms, 226 hospital beds, and a medical zone spanning 4,000 square metres. The ship boasts a robust medical staff capable of performing over 60 types of surgeries and handling up to 700 outpatient visits per day. With a telemedicine consultation system, surgical robots, and specialised departments ranging from paediatrics to traditional Chinese medicine, the Peace Ark exemplifies technological and medical sophistication.
Since its commissioning, the Peace Ark has conducted ten missions under the Harmony Mission initiative, visiting over 50 countries and regions and providing medical care to more than 300,000 individuals. Its ability to conduct surgeries at sea, resist severe weather, and transport casualties via lifeboats and air ambulances underscores its versatility and resilience. Through its outreach efforts, the ship has forged bonds of trust and respect with communities across Africa, Latin America, the South Pacific, and beyond, spreading China’s Red Cross Spirit and fostering a sense of global unity.
As part of the Harmony Mission-2024, the Peace Ark has already embarked on an ambitious itinerary, with planned visits to countries including Seychelles, Tanzania, Madagascar, South Africa, and Singapore. Led by Rear Admirals Ying Hongbo and He Yongming, the mission symbolises China’s commitment to promoting peace, development, and shared progress across the world. The Peace Ark’s crew comprises 106 medical personnel, including a significant proportion of mid-to-senior-level specialists from the PLA Navy Medical University, renowned for its excellence.
