China's naval hospital ship “Silk Road Ark” set sail from Zhanjiang in south China's Guangdong Province on Sunday to deliver medical services to personnel stationed across the South China Sea.

The deployment marks the vessel's third mission supporting naval troops in China's territorial waters since entering service in 2024. The mission will focus on addressing common health concerns among island-based personnel, including musculoskeletal conditions, skin diseases and chronic illnesses.

A team of around 70 medical professionals from military hospitals and the Naval Medical University will provide a range of services, including health screenings, physical examinations, traditional Chinese medicine treatments, surgical procedures and health education programmes for service members and their families. Medical teams will conduct consultations aboard the ship, visit island outposts and offer on-site care.

The mission will also include maritime medical evacuation drills, personnel exchanges and equipment maintenance exercises aimed at strengthening frontline medical support capabilities.