The Chinese national flag and the Silkroad Ark hospital ship, Photo: Official WeChat account of the PLA Navy

The Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) Navy's Silkroad Ark hospital ship arrived in designated areas in the South China Sea on Wednesday on a mission to deliver healthcare service directly at the maritime borders, providing health checkups, traditional Chinese medicine treatments, psychological services, and performances for troops stationed on remote islands and reefs, the PLA Navy said in a statement on Thursday.

In response to the scattered deployment of island units and limited on-site medical resources, the mission adopted flexible approaches such as ferrying personnel to the ship for consultations and sending medical teams directly to island outposts. Services included general health checkups, diagnostic treatments, health education, and hands-on demonstrations, according to the statement.

Onboard the Silkroad Ark, 15 specialized clinics and dozens of expert outpatient services operated simultaneously, offering a wide range of healthcare support. 

Among them, the Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) rehabilitation clinic proved especially popular. Leveraging both modern medical equipment and traditional techniques—inspection, listening, inquiry, and palpation—TCM experts identified root causes of ailments and administered treatments such as cupping, acupuncture, and micro-needle therapy to relieve pain and improve overall well-being.

To address health challenges posed by the harsh conditions—high temperature, salinity, and humidity—faced by garrison personnel, the medical team also held mini-lectures on disease prevention and health maintenance.

The psychological service team focused on early warning signs of mental health issues and emotional support. Using portable diagnostic tools, they conducted psychological assessments and offered one-on-one counseling sessions to help service members manage stress and maintain emotional resilience. Meanwhile, the "TCM for Physical Strength" team demonstrated injury prevention methods and functional rehabilitation exercises tailored to military training environments.

In addition to medical support, a Navy performing arts troupe from the Southern Theater Command accompanied the mission, traveling by boat to various islands in the Xisha Qundao. They staged uplifting and morale-boosting performances, even sharing the stage with local troops in joint singing sessions, bringing warmth and encouragement to the frontline garrisons.

Global Times