A Chinese navy hospital ship docked near Venezuela's capital on Saturday as the OPEC nation's deepening economic crisis garners the attention of the U.S. and other world powers. Chinese ship commander Guan Bai Lin , left corner, speaks with Venezuela's Defence Minister Vladimir Padrino, right corner as they tour the Chinese navy hospital ship The Peace Ark on Saturday. The Chinese hospital ship arrived in Venezuela to give free medical assistance for a week, amid the severe crisis impacting the Venezuelan health-care system. Padrino on Saturday said the Chinese boat's visit was part of the government's "strategic defence operation." The Chinese ship has twice before visited Latin America, in 2011 and 2015, but never has stopped in Venezuela.

Source: CBC News September 23, 2018 14:03 UTC