A conceptual rendering of China's first large-scale public welfare ship, currently under construction in Taizhou, East China's Zhejiang province. [Photo/WeChat account: tzfb001]

Construction on China's first large-scale public welfare ship began on Oct 16 in Taizhou, Zhejiang province.

The vessel's construction marks a milestone in the shipbuilding industry in Taizhou, the second-largest shipbuilding hub in Zhejiang.

The ship, designed by the Shanghai Merchant Ship Design & Research Institute and sponsored by the Peaceland Foundation, is a 5,000-ton vessel dedicated to civil ocean medical rescues. It has a length of 100.15 meters, width of 18 meters, and height of 8.35 meters.

Equipped with comprehensive medical and disaster relief equipment, the ship will provide free medical services to local populations in Southeast Asia, the Middle East, and Africa. It will also offer disaster relief training to local humanitarian institutions.

The significance of this ship extends beyond its practical applications. It not only contributes to the construction of a community with a shared future for mankind but also serves as a vital link connecting the hearts of the Chinese people with people around the world.