Chinese Naval Hospital Ship 'Silk Road Ark' to Offer Free Medical Services in Tonga

'Silk Road Ark' Arrives for Humanitarian Mission

The Chinese naval hospital ship 'Silk Road Ark' is set to dock in Tongatapu, Tonga, from October 13 to 20, 2025, to deliver free medical services to the local community. This visit is a key part of its extensive 'Mission Harmony 2025', marking the vessel's first overseas humanitarian deployment. The ship, which was commissioned in 2024, is described as China's second domestically designed and constructed 10,000-tonne class ocean-going hospital ship, boasting advanced medical capabilities.

Comprehensive Medical Care for Tongan Citizens

During its seven-day stay, the 'Silk Road Ark' will provide a wide array of medical treatments. The mission includes physical examinations, various surgeries, and the provision of traditional Chinese medicine. A team of over 400 personnel, comprising more than 100 medical doctors, nurses, and pharmacists, will be on board to facilitate these services. In addition to on-ship care, medical teams will be dispatched from the vessel to local community clinics and schools in the villages of Hahake and Hihifo on Tongatapu, extending outreach into the heart of the communities.

Advanced Facilities and Global Outreach

The 'Silk Road Ark' is equipped with 14 clinical departments and 7 auxiliary diagnostic units, enabling it to perform over 60 types of medical procedures, including general surgery, orthopaedics, obstetrics, and gynaecology. Its state-of-the-art facilities include CT scanners, digital radiography (DR) systems, and color Doppler ultrasound, further enhancing its diagnostic and treatment capabilities. An onboard helicopter also boosts its emergency medical rescue capacity. The 'Mission Harmony 2025' is a 220-day voyage, the longest in the mission series, and will see the 'Silk Road Ark' visit 12 countries across the South Pacific and Latin America. Prior to its arrival in Tonga, the ship recently concluded a visit to Nauru, where it treated 2,015 outpatients and performed 145 surgeries, and is currently making a stop in Fiji.

Strengthening China-Tonga Medical Cooperation

This visit by the 'Silk Road Ark' continues a history of medical cooperation between China and Tonga. China has previously sent its sister hospital ship, the 'Peace Ark', to Tonga in 2014, 2018, and 2023, providing extensive medical services. Beyond these ship visits, China also dispatches long-term medical teams to Tonga, with the 5th Chinese Medical Team having arrived in July 2024 for a year-long mission at Vaiola Hospital. These initiatives aim to supplement Tonga's existing healthcare infrastructure, which, while having a national referral hospital in Tongatapu and various health centers, can face limitations in specialized and tertiary care. The humanitarian mission underscores China's commitment to fostering bilateral relations and supporting public health in the Pacific region.