On December 22, the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in Barbados hosted a welcome reception for the hospital ship Ark Silk Road. H.E. Zheng Bingkai, Ambassador of the People's Republic of China to Barbados, Rear Admiral Fang Jinsong, Political Commissar of Mission-2025, Senior Captain Peng Guliang, Commander of Mission-2025, the Hon. Kerrie Symmonds, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Brigadier Carlos Lovell, Chief of Staff of the Barbados Defence Force, representatives of the hospital ship and the Barbados Defence Force, the Chinese Medical Team assisting Barbados, friends from various sectors, and representatives of the Chinese community in Barbados, nearly 150 people in total, attended the reception.

Ambassador Zheng warmly welcomed the visit of the Hospital Ship Ark Silk Road, noting that it stands as a vivid example of the friendship between China and Barbados and demonstrates China’s sense of responsibility as a major country in promoting the building of a community with a shared future for mankind, and expressed his hope to work with all sectors in Barbados to elevate bilateral relations to a new level.

Rear Admiral Fang stated that the Hospital Ship Ark Silk Road serves as an important bond of friendship between China and Barbados, and expressed the hope that this visit would make a positive contribution to further strengthening bilateral ties. Minister Symmonds spoke highly of the professionalism of the hospital ship’s medical team and the tangible benefits they have brought to the local people, and commended the sound China–Barbados relationship and the fruitful outcomes of their practical cooperation.