Lima, December 23 (RHC)-- A Chinese naval hospital ship has docked at a South American port where it is expected to carry out 2,000 free procedures during its seven-day stay.

China’s Peace Ark made its first ever call at the port of Callao outside Peru's capital of Lima on Monday. The 229-meter-long floating hospital has 500 beds, carries 118 medical professionals and has 300 beds and eight operating rooms.

The stop is its last in a three-month mission that included visits to the U.S., Mexico, Australia, Grenada and Barbados.

"We're very thankful because during this holiday season they're going to give the gift of health care," the Associated Press on Tuesday quoted Peruvian Health Minister Anibal Velasquez as saying at a ceremony alongside China's ambassador to Peru.