A nurse cuddles a local girl in Bangladesh in 2013. The girl was named Chin, meaning "China", to commemorate her birth on the hospital ship. [Photo by JU ZHENHUA/FOR CHINA DAILY]

Gratitude

Salote, a 57-year-old islander with long-term diabetes, had a problem with a tooth, which was painful and needed to be extracted. The local doctor had no way of dealing with it because of the patient's excessively high level of blood glucose.

When he learned that the Chinese doctors were offering free treatment, Salote came to the health center early in the morning. After an examination, Chen Tielou, a dentist from Peace Ark, used injections to regulate Salote's blood sugar levels, and then extracted the tooth.

"Thank God-this is the most precious gift," said Salote, who took his tooth home as a memento.

Vasenai, a 63-year-old farmer, walks with difficulty due to osteoarthritis, which severely affects his daily life.

"The Chinese military doctors are really good," he said, after collecting free medicine.

To express their appreciation, some islanders gave the doctors fruit and notes of thanks, while others embraced the medics-a traditional expression of gratitude-and took photos with them.

After the team left on the helicopter, Ratu said: "Peace Ark is really appreciated, and China is really appreciated. You are welcome on Vatulele forever."

Major General Guan Bolin, commander of Mission Harmony 2017, said that in the past nine years, the missions, joint drills and exercises with foreign counterparts have allowed Peace Ark to become the calling card for China's major country diplomacy with Chinese characteristics, spreading the ideology of peace, development, cooperation and win-win relations.

He added that the missions illustrate the goodwill of the Chinese government and people in working with many countries to build a community with a shared future.