On 22 July, the Chinese navy hospital ship Peace Ark completed a seven-day friendly visit to Kiribati. During the visit, H.E. President Taneti Maamau, Hon. Speaker Tangariki Reete, Acting C.J. Tetiro Semilota and a number of HMs and MPs boarded the ship for medical check-ups or participated in related activities. The Peace Ark provided free medical services to all walks of life in Kiribati, including 6,633 outpatient consultations (including 5,095 outpatient consultations on the main platform and 1,538 outpatient consultations by medical detachments), 94 medical check-ups, 20 surgeries such as caesarean section, cataract and laparoscopic cholecystectomy, 13 hospitalisations and 2,331 CT, DR or other ancillary examinations. 266 Kiribati medical personnel on board exchanged medical skills with their Chinese counterparts from the ship.
We were delighted to witness the first Kiribati "Peace Ark Baby" being born on board. During the visit, the Peace Ark crew and medical staff also had extensive and in-depth exchanges with all walks of life in Kiribati, including 9 academic exchanges with Kiribati medical staff in the fields of medical imaging and first aid, as well as demonstrations of traditional Chinese medicine techniques such as fire cupping, acupuncture and moxibustion. They also visited local elderly associations, communities and schools to conduct 6 foreign cultural performances, 3 cultural and sports exchanges, 3 free medical consultations and to distribute relevant cultural and sports materials. The officials and medical stuff also went to North Tarawa to provide medical services and meet with local teachers and students.
This is the Peace Ark's first visit to Kiribati and the first stop of the Mission Harmony 2023, which has received a warm welcome and all-round support from the Kiribati government. H.E. President Maamau attended the welcome ceremony and deck reception, held a special reception at State House, boarded the ship to visit the hospitalised patients and personally named the "Peace Ark Baby" Aken Teraoi (meaning "Ark Peace"). The Chinese medical staff are well trained, excellent in their work and have been working tirelessly. The number of patients treated far exceeded the original plan and was highly praised by the Kiribati government and people.
The visit fully demonstrated the importance the Chinese government attaches to China-Kiribati relations and the deep friendship between the Chinese and Kiribati people, and is a vivid manifestation of China's consistent policy of promoting the building of a community of shared future for mankind.
The Peace Ark brings friendship and health. This fits so well with traditional Kiribati blessings.
Te mauri, te raoi, ao te tabomoa!