The Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Navy hospital ship Silk Road Ark has returned to a military port in Sanya, Hainan Province, after successfully completing Harmony Mission-2025, marking its first overseas deployment and the longest mission of its kind, according to Xinhua News Agency.
The mission lasted 234 days and covered nearly 36,000 nautical miles, making it the eleventh Harmony Mission since 2010 and the longest in the series. It was also the first time the Silk Road Ark sailed beyond China’s borders since entering service.
The vessel departed from Quanzhou, Fujian Province, on September 5, 2025, and visited countries including Nauru, Fiji, Tonga, Jamaica, Barbados, and Papua New Guinea to provide medical services. It also traveled to Brazil and Chile for medical exchanges and made technical port calls in Nicaragua and Uruguay.
During the mission, the onboard medical team provided free healthcare services to local residents, overseas Chinese communities, and Chinese personnel stationed abroad. They handled 26,324 outpatient visits, carried out 2,724 surgeries and medical procedures, completed 17,273 diagnostic examinations, and treated 136 inpatients.
In addition to humanitarian work, the crew engaged in diplomatic and cultural exchanges with host countries through official visits, medical seminars, sports and cultural activities, and joint naval drills. Maritime exercises were also conducted with the navies of Fiji, Tonga, and Brazil.
Zhang Junshe, a Chinese military affairs expert, noted that while several countries operate hospital ships, many are converted transport vessels. In comparison, the Silk Road Ark is a purpose-built hospital ship designed specifically for medical rescue missions.
As China’s second domestically built 10,000-ton class ocean-going hospital ship, it is equipped with 14 clinical departments, seven auxiliary diagnostic departments, and eight advanced operating rooms, with the ability to perform more than 60 types of surgeries.
The ship also carries a medical rescue helicopter, enabling quick emergency response during humanitarian relief efforts or island rescue missions. According to Zhang, the helicopter can transport medical staff and supplies directly to disaster-hit areas, islands, or vessels at sea for urgent treatment.
China launched its first purpose-built ocean-going hospital ship, the Peace Ark, in 2008. With the addition of the Auspicious Ark in May 2025, the Chinese Navy now operates three 10,000-ton hospital ships across the Eastern, Southern, and Northern theater commands.
“All three ships are purpose-built platforms featuring advanced technologies and comprehensive medical capabilities, with capabilities comparable to those of a Grade 3A (the highest grade in China) hospital,” Zhang said.
Regarding their broader role, Zhang explained that during peacetime, these ships provide strong medical support to naval fleets and island-based troops, strengthening China’s maritime defense capabilities.
“The Harmony Mission-2025 demonstrated China’s sense of responsibility as a major country. Through continued overseas missions and the provision of medical services for foreign populations, the PLA Navy’s international partnerships continue to expand. This also shows that the growing strength of China’s military benefits the international community by providing more public goods,” Zhang added.
