SUVA, Aug. 15 (Xinhua) -- Tongan Prime Minister Akilisi Pohiva hailed on Wednesday the visit by the Chinese naval hospital ship Ark Peace, saying that the tour has deepened the profound friendship between Tonga and China and the two peoples as well.

Accompanied by Chinese Ambassador to Tonga Wang Baodong and the commanders of Mission Harmony 2018, Pohiva, also Tonga's foreign minister, reviewed the guards of honor, visited the medical facilities, asked about the ongoing medical services and visited the medical staff and the local patients, extending his best regards and deep appreciations on behalf of the King of Tonga, the government and the people as well.

He lauded the Chinese government and people for its unselfish assistance rendered to Tongans, acknowledging that the visit has displayed and deepened the profound friendship between the two countries and the two peoples as well.

"On the occasion of the 20th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between Tonga and China, Ark Peace's visit has displayed and deepened the profound friendship between the two countries and the two peoples as well. Hopefully, the bilateral strategic partnership can achieve continuous and fresh development,"he said.

"Today's visit onboard the medical ship made me, all the ministers and cabinet members very surprised. The equipment and medical facilities onboard are very advanced and doctors' skills are fairly exquisite. What's more important is that all of us are deeply impressed with Ark Peace's humanitarianism."

The Commanders of Mission Harmony 2018 also paid courtesy calls on Saia Piukala, minister of health and common enterprise and Lord Ma'afu, minister of land, natural resources and defense, both of whom expressed appreciations for the unselfish assistance from China on behalf of the government, armed forces and people of Tonga.

On the day of Ark Peace's arrival in Nukualofa, capital of the South Pacific Island nation on Monday, free medical service was conducted onboard. While Ark Peace offers medical service for the local community, members of the Chinese enterprises and overseas Chinese onboard, several medical teams are deployed at a local hospital and community health centers.

On Wednesday, a cultural entertainment was conducted between Ark Peace's crew and Tonga High School's teachers and students. A friendly football match was also played by the crew of Ark Peace and Tongan armed forces.

As of Wednesday afternoon, Ark Peace has provided consultation and treatment for 2,588 persons and auxiliary examination for 1,204 persons, hospitalized 13 inpatients and conducted 14 cases of surgical operation.

Tonga is the fourth stop of Ark Peace's current mission and the ship paid its first successful visit to the South Pacific Island nation in 2014.