China is sending a military-run hospital ship to the Pacific to enhance its image in the region, emphasizing responsibility. The largest hospital ship of the People’s Liberation Army Navy, the Peace Ark, will visit Kiribati, Tonga, Vanuatu, the Solomon Islands, and East Timor.
The Peace Ark is expected to offer medical assistance to Chinese citizens, residents of the countries it visits, and local people. Additionally, it will engage in medical exchanges and training with local medical professionals.
China’s deployment of the Peace Ark showcases its dedication to providing humanitarian aid and disaster relief in the Pacific while countering the United States’ influence in the region. This move is likely to heighten existing concerns about China’s growing military presence in the Pacific.
Weighing 14,300 metric tonnes, the Hospital Ship accommodates a crew of over 400 people. Equipped with operating theaters, intensive care units, and laboratories, the ship offers a comprehensive range of medical facilities. It can also house up to 1,000 patients.
The Peace Ark has undertaken numerous missions to the Pacific in the past. For example, in 2013, it provided medical assistance to survivors of Typhoon Haiyan in the Philippines. In 2016, it visited Fiji and Tonga, offering medical care and training.
The deployment of the Peace Ark signifies China’s increasing influence in the Pacific and its unwavering commitment to humanitarian assistance and disaster relief. While the ship’s visit is likely to be well-received by the countries it visits, it may raise concerns in the United States.
