On May 31, the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) Navy hospital ship Silk Road Ark cast off and set sail for the South China Sea and the islands and reefs along the coast of southern China, officially commencing the "Health Delivered to the Maritime Frontier" mission. This marks the third time the Silk Road Ark has undertaken this specific mission since its commissioning in 2024.

Medical personnel assemble at the dock to board the ship. Photo by Zhang Dongjie

This "Health Delivered to the Maritime Frontier" mission is tailored to the healthcare needs commonly encountered by officers and personnel stationed on the islands and reefs, including neck, shoulder, back, and leg pain, dermatological conditions, and chronic diseases. For this task, high-quality medical resources from across the entire military have been coordinated, and the ship has been equipped with both Traditional Chinese Medicine and Western medical diagnostic and treatment equipment, as well as routine medications. A multidisciplinary medical service team has been assembled and will adopt a combined approach of providing medical consultations on board the ship, conducting medical patrols on the islands, and making door-to-door visits. They will provide stationed personnel and their families with services including free consultations, physical examinations, TCM physiotherapy, surgical treatment, and health education. During the transit, the ship will simultaneously conduct maritime casualty treatment drills, mentorship for medical personnel, and medical equipment inspection and repair. The aim is to bridge the "last mile" of medical services to the maritime frontier and effectively enhance frontline medical support capabilities. Concurrently, key members from the Southern Theater Command Navy's art troupe and political work units are also aboard to carry out cultural service activities on the islands and reefs.

Medical personnel assemble at the dock to board the ship. Photo by He Kexin

As the second domestically designed and constructed 10,000-tonne ocean-going hospital ship, the Silk Road Ark successfully completed the 234-day "Mission Harmony-2025" on April 26 this year. After a brief port call for adjustments, it was promptly deployed for this "Health Delivered to the Maritime Frontier" mission.

On May 31, the Chinese Navy hospital ship Silu Fangzhou (Ark of the Silk Road) set sail from a naval port in Zhanjiang, Guangdong, to carry out the "Health for the Maritime Frontier" mission. Aerial photo by Zhang Dongjie