VALPARAISO, CHILE, Dec. 7 (ChinaMil) -- The Chilean Navy hosted an international fleet review to mark its 200th anniversary in the port city of Valparaiso on December 2, 2018, local time. Twenty-four surface ships, two submarines and 15 aircrafts from countries such as Chile, China, the US and UK participated in the fleet review.
The Chinese naval hospital ship Peace Ark (Hull 866), currently on its Harmonious Mission 2018, arrived in the port city of Valparaíso on November 29 for its first friendly visit to Chile. The Peace Ark participated in the celebration to mark the 200th anniversary of the Chilean Navy and the EXPONAVAL 2018, the 11th Chilean International Naval & Maritime Exhibition and Congress for Latin America.
Chile is the 43rd country visited by the Peace Ark since its commission to the PLA Navy in 2008. Situated in the southwest of South America and bordering the South Pacific Ocean, Chile extends a coastline of about 10,000 kilometers. It is the world’s narrowest country.
It is learnt that the Peace Ark made a special trip to Chile in order to take part in this event after having successfully completed its friendly visits to and medical service tasks in 10 countries in Oceania and Central and South America. This is the fourth time that a Chinese naval ship visits Chile since the three previous visits in 1997, 2009, and 2013 respectively.
