China's naval hospital ship made its first visit to Angola on Thursday to provide free medical services and humanitarian aid, the Defense Ministry said.
The CNS Daishandao, also known as Peace Ark, is making the eight-day goodwill visit to the southwestern African country during its first voyage around the continent, codenamed Harmonious Mission 2017.
The ship has visited other African countries, include Djibouti, Sierra Leone, Gabon and Republic of Congo. It will visit Mozambique and Tanzania. It will also visit the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste in Southeast Asia during its 155-day mission.
"This mission is an important military diplomacy event that can test and sharpen our medical ship's overseas capability," Ding Haichun, deputy-commissar of the PLA Navy, said at the ship's departure ceremony in July.
"It will fully showcase China shouldering international duties as a responsible big nation and promote the Chinese military's sincere attitude toward maintaining peace and caring for lives," he added.
The visit began when the ship arrived at the port of Luanda, Angola's capital, about 11:30 am on Thursday, local time. Officials and representatives from the Angolan Navy, the Chinese embassy and overseas companies held a welcoming ceremony.
The visit will include a range of activities, including providing free health services to the public and other medical and military exchanges, the ministry said.