The Chinese naval medical ship, Peace Ark, has set sail from the port of Zhoushan to the Gulf of Aden and five other countries. It's part of a large scale program called "Harmonious Mission 2010".

The medical ship will travel to Djibouti, Kenya, Tanzania, the Seychelles and Bangladesh. It'll provide medical care for Chinese escort officers and local people in Aden district.

Peace Ark will spread medical knowledge among children in five countries and offer traditional Chinese medicine to embassies. The ship carries high-level medical facilities and equipment as well as a first-aid helicopter. It's the first time it's been on such a mission.