(Photos: Xinhua)

The People's Liberation Army (PLA) Navy's hospital ship Peace Ark held a flag-raising ceremony on Tuesday in the South Pacific Ocean to celebrate the 91st anniversary of the founding of the PLA on August 1. 

After leaving Zhoushan, East China's Zhejiang Province, on June 28,the Chinese naval hospital ship Peace Ark is on its 2018 Mission Harmony, which has visited Papua New Guinea and Vanuatu, and provided humanitarian medical assistance for more than 10,000 people.

Chinese navy soldiers aboard Peace Ark raise the national flag of the People's Republic of China and the flag of the People's Liberation Army on Tuesday in the South Pacific Ocean.

Peace Ark has carried out seven humanitarian missions. Starting in 2008, the ship has visited 37 countries and regions to provide free medical services for more than 180,000 people.

(Compiled by Shi Haina)