CARACAS 23 Sep (ANA) - A Chinese hospital ship has docked in Venezuela, where for the next week it will provide free health care to local patients.

 

Venezuela's Defence Minister Vladimir Padrino López, went to the port of La Guaira to welcome the Chinese crew.

 

He said that the Peace Ark's visit was agreed by President Nicolás Maduro during a visit to Beijing last week.

 

Venezuela agreed at the time to increase its exports of oil to China, which is one of its main creditors.

 

Venezuela's economic crisis has led to severe shortages of food and medicines and the collapse of public services.

 

The opposition says the presence of a Chinese hospital ship in Venezuela shows the extent of the humanitarian crisis.

 

Mr Padrino López thanked China for the gesture of friendship and said that both countries would benefit.

 

"It is a pleasure to have this ship in Venezuela, which has arrived here after travelling to more than 40 countries" he said.

 

"This is how true diplomacy is done: with concrete cooperation actions," added Mr Padrino López.(ANA)

FA/ANA/23 September 2018------