A Chinese military team left Beijing Tuesday for Gabon to participate in a joint humanitarian medical rescue exercise.

The operation, codenamed "Peace Angel 2009", is scheduled for June 17-30 in the Ogooue-Ivindo Province of Gabon. It is the two countries' first joint medical rescue exercise, said the Chinese Defense Ministry in a statement.

The Chinese team consists of 60 medical and epidemic prevention staff from the Bethune International Peace Hospital and the Academy of Military Medical Sciences of the People's Liberation Army.

According to the ministry, the operation will have three stages: professional training, a rescue exercise and medical aid.

The two defense departments agreed on the operation in 2007.

Source:Xinhua