A team of Chinese ophthalmologists have performed 260 free cataract removal operations as part of this year's "Brightness Action in Zimbabwe" campaign, which officially started Monday in Chitungwiza Central Hospital in Harare, Xinhua News Agency reports.

Zhu Siquan, chief expert of the Chinese medical team and director of Beijing Tongren Hospital's cataract center, told reporters that some patients would have become permanently blind if they did not have immediate operations. Zhu also said it took him about three minutes to complete each operation, so that he could perform a maximum of 150 surgeries a day.

Joice Mujuru, Vice President of Zimbabwe, said about 60,000 cataract patients have permanently lost their sight because of a lack of professional medical equipment and funds for operations. She said she appreciated China's help.

The team of nine Chinese ophthalmologists and paramedics will perform 500 free cataract removal operations during March 18-28. This is the second time a Chinese medical team has visited Zimbabwe to perform the operations since last November.

Local residents sang and danced on the streets to express their appreciation.

Four Chinese doctors performed free cataract removal operations on 307 patients as part of last year's "Brightness Action" campaign with a 100-percent success rate.