The People's Republic of China medical ship Peace Ark (T-AH 866) arrived in San Diego to conduct a port visit and medical subject-matter-expert exchange with the staff of Navy Medicine West and the Military Sealift Command hospital ship USNS Mercy (T-AH 19) Nov. 2-7.

Similar to the Mercy the Peace Ark maintains operating capabilities, optometry and dental facilities and hundreds of hospital beds.

"We are building a good relationship between our hospital ship crews," said U.S. Navy Rear Adm. Bruce Gillingham, commander of Navy Medicine West. "We are anxious to strengthen our relationship, and I believe we have much to learn from each other. The interaction will benefit both of our nations and those who we seek to work with."

During the visit, both People's Liberation Army (PLA) Navy and U.S. Navy hosted official receptions and conducted tours of the hospital ships. Chinese crew members also toured Naval Medical Center San Diego, Naval Health Research Center and the VA hospital in La Jolla.

"In the medical communities there's a bond between providers that are in charge of giving health to others, and that goes across different boundaries and nations," said U.S. Navy Capt. Jose Acosta, commanding officer of Naval Medical Center San Diego. "These meetings help show the world that we can share information and, at the end of the day, we're all about providing safe, quality patient care."

The Peace Ark visit demonstrated ability between two nations for mutual medical interaction and cooperation that offered benefits for both countries, according to U.S. Navy Capt. Melanie Merrick, commanding officer of the medical treatment facility aboard the Mercy.

"U.S. and China are both countries that have Pacific Ocean borders," Merrick said. "One of the primary missions of the Mercy is to support Pacific fleet and Pacific Partnership. To have this type of interaction and collaboration with the Chinese Navy and specifically a hospital ship, it continues to build friendships and collaborations."