Special: Hospital ship Peace Ark

On June 10, Chinese hospital ship Peace Ark embarked on a 118-day voyage to deliver medical assistance to residents of neighboring countries and take part in joint operations and exercises with fellow members of ASEAN. China Daily reporter Peng Yining will provide updates for our readers from onboard the ship.

You can also ask questions by commenting on this page, and Peng will be ready to help whenever Internet access is available. This page will keep updating.

An injured fisherman was rushed to hospital in Sanya, Hainan province, on Oct 3. As Typhoon Wutip hit the South China Sea in late September, sinking fishing boats, China mobilized massive resources in its largest rescue mission in the sea.

 Choosing a sailor's life

Skipping rope is a favorite exercise for three Uygur sailors aboard the People's Liberation Army navy hospital ship Peace Ark.They also perform traditional Uygur dances at a number of parties aboard the Peace Ark, drawing warm applause from the crew.

When life is sailing over the bounding sea

Chen Hailei joined the navy to see the world, but so far the 25-year-old has only seen piles of garbage and a trash incinerator.

Finding inner peace on ocean wave

Sailors stage an impromptu play, directed by psychologists on the Peace Ark, as a form of counseling to help them relax.

Peace Ark lends a helping hand

With the permission and cooperation of the Maldivian authorities, the Peace Ark sent out 20 medical teams, totaling 115 staff, to 10 residency islands to provide medical services and training.

Hospital ship stops in Maldives

The Maldives, a chain of 26 atolls scattered across the Indian Ocean, was the second port of call for the Peace Ark, which is scheduled to visit eight countries during its 118-day voyage, providing free medical treatment.

From China with love and care

Getting the point of Chinese medicine

Brunei was the first stop on the 2013 Peace Ark mission. The hospital ship will visit eight countries across Asia to provide free medical services during the voyage.

Photos

A member of a military band plays [Photo by Zhang Hao for China Daily]

Du Kan, a Chinese pediatrician, examines a child in Maldives, July 3, 2013. [Photo by Zhang Hao/Asianewsphoto]

Nurse Zheng Lu communicates with a young patient in Maldives, July 3, 2013. [Photo by Zhang Hao/Asianewsphoto]

Nurse Li Hongyan helps local residents in Guraidhoo, Maldives, June 30. 2013. [Photo by Zhang Hao/Asianewsphoto]

A young patient receives a gift before being discharged from the hospital, July 4, 2013. [Photo by Huang Yuping /Asianewsphoto]

Wu Yu says goodbye to his wife and 3-year-old daughter before the hospital ship Peace Ark leaves Zhoushan, Zhejiang province, for an aid tour to some Asian nations and the Gulf of Aden, June 10, 2013. [Photo by Zhang Hao/Asianewsphoto] 

A sailor demonstrates how to wear a life jacket on the hospital ship Peace Ark, June 10, 2013. [Photo by Zhang Hao/Asianewsphoto]

Naval officer Jin Decai jogs on the hospital ship Peace Ark, June 10, 2013. [Photo by Zhang Hao/Asianewsphoto]