Chinese Navy Hospital Ship Completes Longest Humanitarian Mission, Treats Over 26,000 Patients

The Chinese People’s Liberation Army Navy hospital ship Silk Road Ark has returned to China after completing a 234-day overseas medical mission, the longest humanitarian deployment ever carried out by a Chinese naval hospital ship.

The mission, known as Harmony Mission-2025, covered about 36,000 nautical miles and marked the first overseas deployment of Silk Road Ark since it entered service.

The vessel sailed from Quanzhou in September 2025 and visited Nauru, Fiji, Tonga, Jamaica, Barbados and Papua New Guinea, while also conducting medical exchanges in Brazil and Chile.

It also made technical port calls in countries including Nicaragua and Uruguay.

During the mission, the ship’s medical team handled 26,324 outpatient visits, carried out 2,724 surgeries and medical procedures, completed 17,273 diagnostic tests and examinations, and treated 136 inpatients, according to Chinese state media.

The deployment was the 11th mission under the Chinese navy’s Mission Harmony program, which began in 2010.

Previous missions were carried out by the hospital ship Peace Ark, making this the first overseas mission for Silk Road Ark.

China’s second domestically built 10,000-ton oceangoing hospital ship, Silk Road Ark has 14 clinical departments, seven auxiliary diagnostic departments and eight operating rooms, with the capability to perform more than 60 types of surgeries.

The vessel is also equipped with a shipborne medical rescue helicopter for emergency response and rescue operations.

The medical team, mainly made up of personnel from the PLA Southern Theater Command and the Naval Medical University, offered services including general surgery, orthopedics, gynecology and ophthalmology.

One of the major cases during the mission took place in Fiji, where a local man suffering from long-term abdominal pain sought treatment aboard the vessel.

After a colonoscopy confirmed rectal cancer, Chinese doctors worked with local doctors and anesthesiologists to perform a complex mid-to-low rectal cancer surgery, which was completed successfully.

The patient’s family later thanked the medical team in Chinese.

Fiji’s Minister for Defence and Veterans Affairs Pio Tikoduadua said the hospital ship brought practical benefits to the Fijian community and served as a symbol of care and goodwill.

The mission also provided support in Jamaica after Hurricane Melissa caused casualties and damage in coastal areas and put pressure on the country’s healthcare system.

At Jamaica’s request, Silk Road Ark extended its stay, docked at three ports and provided 12 days of medical services.

This marked the first time a hospital ship under Mission Harmony had docked at multiple ports within one country, as well as the longest period of medical service delivered in a single country under the program.

During its stay in Jamaica, the ship set up a priority treatment channel under a post-disaster medical relief plan to speed up services for elderly patients and people with disabilities.

Medical personnel reportedly worked from early morning until late at night.

Head operating room nurse Wu Yanru said the work was physically demanding, but the gratitude shown by patients and local doctors made it worthwhile.

Beyond medical services, the crew also carried out exchanges with host nations, including official visits, medical seminars, sports and cultural activities.

Chinese media reported nine medical exchange events, eight deck receptions and 17 sports and cultural activities were held during the mission. Joint maritime exercises were also conducted with the navies of Fiji, Tonga and Brazil.

Chinese military affairs expert Zhang Junshe said Silk Road Ark is a purpose-built hospital ship designed specifically for medical rescue missions, unlike some hospital ships converted from transport vessels.

He said the vessel’s advanced medical capabilities are comparable to those of a Grade 3A hospital in China.

China now operates three 10,000-ton hospital ships, Peace Ark, Silk Road Ark and Auspicious Ark, which entered service in May 2025, deployed across different theater commands.

In Barbados, young patients receiving treatment aboard the ship were given paper boats by Chinese doctors.

When told in China paper boats carry wishes, children shared hopes ranging from healing for family members to becoming doctors in the future.

One five-year-old patient said he wished the ship would return to Barbados next year.

The PLA Navy marked its 77th founding anniversary last week.

Reference: People’s Republic Of China