China sends Type 920 hospital ship Daishan Dao to its Oceanic allies.

According to information published by the Chinese MoD on July 3, 2023, a Chinese naval vessel embarked on a mission to provide medical assistance in several countries, including Kiribati, Tonga, Vanuatu, Solomon Islands, and East Timor.
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Chinese PLA Navy's Type 920 hospital ship Daishan Dao. (Picture source: Xinhua News)

The vessel, known as "Peace Ark," will dock at designated ports in each country to offer free medical services to local communities, Chinese personnel, and overseas Chinese individuals.

This mission is part of the vessel's ongoing efforts to deliver humanitarian aid, having served numerous countries and regions since its inception in 2008.

Chinese strategy

The Pacific region is a significant arena of diplomatic competition between China (PRC) and Taiwan (ROC), with some countries switching their diplomatic support between the two.

Both China and Taiwan provide development aid to their respective allies. China aims to establish a prominent sphere of influence in the Pacific Islands. China has increased economic cooperation, provided aid packages, abolished tariffs for exports, and engaged in training programs with Pacific Island states.

About the hospital ship

Daishan Dao serves in the South Sea Fleet and is based in Zhoushan, Zhejiang province. The ship has a capacity of 300 beds, including 20 ICU beds, and is equipped with 8 operating theaters.

She is capable of performing 40 major surgeries per day and offers various medical facilities such as X-ray, ultrasound, CT scanning, hypothermia treatment, hemodialysis, traditional Chinese medicine, and dental services.

Additionally, Daishan Dao is equipped with a remote networking and communications system that enables teleconferencing with doctors and specialists on land.

The ship has an approximate displacement of 14,000 tons and measures about 178 meters in length with a beam of approximately 25 meters. She is powered by twin engines and features an onboard hangar capable of accommodating Z-8JH aircraft, which can carry either 27 passengers or 15 stretchers.