NOUAKCHOTT, Sept. 15 (Xinhua) -- The Chinese People's Liberation Army Navy hospital ship Auspicious Ark arrived in Mauritania on Tuesday for a seven-day friendly visit, during which it would provide medical services.
The hospital ship, which is carrying out the Mission Harmony-2026, docked at the Friendship Port in Nouakchott, the capital of Mauritania, at around 10:00 a.m. local time.
Mauritanian military and government officials, military personnel, the Chinese ambassador to Mauritania, staff of the Chinese embassy, representatives of the Chinese community and Chinese enterprises, as well as local residents attended a welcoming ceremony at the port.
The crowd waved the national flags of China and Mauritania, while local residents held flowers and colorful flags and a Mauritanian military band played music during the ceremony.
Following the ceremony, the commander of the Mauritanian navy boarded the hospital ship, where he inspected the guard of honor and toured the vessel. He later held talks with representatives of the mission personnel.
During the visit, the hospital ship will provide medical services aboard the vessel, while medical teams will visit local medical facilities and Mauritanian military units to offer consultations, conduct medical training and carry out professional exchanges.
The mission will also organize a deck reception, as well as cultural and exchange activities between personnel from the two countries.
The Islamic Republic of Mauritania is located in western Africa. China and Mauritania established diplomatic relations in 1965. Mauritania is the first stop of Mission Harmony-2026. This marks the second visit by a Chinese naval hospital ship to the country. ■
