A Chinese naval hospital ship has arrived in Bangladesh's port city of Chittagong as part of a 4-month overseas voyage to provide medical services to local residents.

 

　　The current visit marks the second time the "Peace Ark" hospital ship has arrived in Bangladesh after a similar visit three years ago.

 

　　Our reporter Marc Cavigli has more.

 

　　The arrival of the "Peace Ark" was welcomed by Bangladesh's naval officials, Chinese diplomats and local residents in a long and high-profile ceremony.

 

　　Addressing the crowd, Rear Admiral Shen Hao, Commander of "Mission Harmony 2013", said the ship's arrival in Bangladesh for a second time represents a special bond between the two countries.

 

　　"Chinese navy is coming for carrying on the friendship, for the purpose of carrying forward international humanitarianism, and strengthening friendly relations. I believe the current visit will definitely enhance the exchanges and cooperation between our two militaries and two navies, in particular, and consolidate the traditional friendship between our two peoples."

 

　　In 2010, medical staff onboard the "Peace Ark" provided medical services to more than 3,000 residents during its first visit to the South Asian nation.

 

　　The "Peace Ark" is currently on its third overseas mission known as "Mission Harmony 2013."

 

　　The vessel has over 400 people onboard with around 100 of them working as medical staff.

 

　　Rear Admiral Saiful Kabir, deputy chief of staff of the Bangladeshi navy, says the ship's revisit is a testimony to the friendship between the two nations.

 

　　"Bangladesh and China has close and comprehensive partnership of cooperation on the basis of long-standing friendship, security and mutual benefit. The arrival of the PLA navy hospital ship the 'Peace Ark' is the testimony of this friendship between our two friendly nations."

 

　　During its one-week stay in Chittagong, the ship's medical staff will give on-the-spot medical services to local residents at a local military hospital.

 

　　Meanwhile, Bangladeshi medics will be invited to get onboard the hospital ship to jointly attend to patients with the Chinese medics.

 

　　The "Peace Ark" set sail from eastern China's Zhoushan Islands early June, embarking on its third overseas trip to 8 Asian countries and the Gulf of Aden.

 

　　After Bangladesh, the "Peace Ark" will travel to Myanmar to continue its voyage.

 

　　For CRI, I'm Marc Cavigli.