Two Australian Defence Force (ADF) medical officers have joined the Peoples’ Liberation Army (PLA) – Navy hospital ship Peace Ark on its medical assistance mission currently under way in the South Pacific.
The deployment results from an invitation from the Vice Chairman of the Central Military Commission of the Peoples’ Republic of China, General Fan Changlong, during his visit to Australia in July this year.
From 31 August to 11 September, the ADF medical officers will work closely with their PLA colleagues to provide medical support during the Peace Ark’s mission to Vanuatu and Papua New Guinea.
The capacity of ADF and PLA personnel to work closely together was most recently demonstrated during Operation Southern Indian Ocean.
Working together with the PLA during the Peace Ark’s South Pacific medical assistance mission demonstrates how defence cooperation between Australia and China can contribute to regional security and be of real practical assistance to regional partners.