China’s ‘Silk Road Ark’ arrives in Jamaica to aid hurricane recovery

The visit comes in response to a request from the Jamaican Government following Hurricane Melissa, which struck the island in late October. The storm caused casualties, significant property damage along the southwestern coast, and placed considerable strain on local healthcare systems.

During its 12-day mission, the “Silk Road Ark” will dock at three ports: Montego Bay, Kingston, and Falmouth. Medical teams onboard will provide services to local residents. This multi-port deployment within a single nation is a first for the Chinese Navy’s “Harmony Mission” series and represents its longest continuous medical service in one country.

This marks the second visit by a Chinese naval hospital ship to Jamaica, following the “Peace Ark” in 2011. The “Silk Road Ark” is currently engaged in its “Mission Harmony 2025” voyage.

Minister of Health and Wellness, Dr. Christopher Tufton, led a Jamaican delegation on a tour of the vessel, before expressing deep appreciation to China. 

“We have, in the true spirit of friendship and cooperation, [seen that] the people and the Government of China have dispatched and have adjusted their schedule to be here in Jamaica earlier than was originally planned,” he said, highlighting he vessel’s broad functioning capabilities. 

During its mission the medical ship will undertake numerous surgeries such as hernia, cataract and a host of outpatient services.

“This is a full-service hospital on the seas. It has 300 beds… [so, accommodating] 600 patients a day would not be impossible, based on their capacity and the personnel that they have,” Dr. Tufton explained.

“The Chinese vessel and team are helping us to fill a gap… while we are… building back our system so that we can assume the arrangement. The benefits are many, and we will only be better for it,” Minister Tufton stated.

China’s Ambassador to Jamaica, His Excellency Wang Jinfeng, offered sympathies to the people of Jamaica on behalf of his country and reaffirmed the enduring partnership between both nations.

“As emphasised by Chinese President, Xi Jinping, Jamaica is China’s strategic partner, and our peoples have deepened our friendship. The latest medical ship… has brought the assistance of the Chinese Government. They will provide humanitarian medical service for the Jamaican people.” he said as quoted by the state media the Jamaica Information Service.

Chief Medical Officer (CMO), Dr. Jacquiline Bisasor-McKenzie, underscored the significance of the support at this juncture.

“This ship being here at this time [presents] an opportunity for us to get some of our elective surgical cases done and some of our eye cases done,” she said.

The CMO added that the extended mission will provide support to Kingston‑based hospitals, which are currently managing increased patient loads resulting from self‑referrals and transfers from the western region.

“We’re really hoping to take full advantage of this opportunity to get as much done as possible,” Dr. Bisasor-McKenzie said, adding that the team looks forward to future partnerships with China based on the ship’s facilities and expertise.

The Peace Ark is China's first Type 920 hospital ship, based in Zhoushan and part of the East Sea Fleet. It was the sole ship of its class until a second, the "Silk Road Ark," began operations recently.

Since its first "Mission Harmony" in 2010, the ship has been deployed to provide free medical care during peacetime, responding to disasters and conducting port visits worldwide.

From mid-June 2024 to mid-January 2025, the ship visited 13 countries across Africa and Asia, including Seychelles, Tanzania, Madagascar, and Sri Lanka, offering medical services.

Over its 11 international missions, the Peace Ark has sailed over 280,000 nautical miles, provided services in 45 countries and regions, treated more than 290,000 patients, and performed over 1,400 surgeries.

Past missions have included disaster relief in the Philippines after Typhoon Haiyan (2013), participation in the RIMPAC naval exercise (2014), and extensive tours of the Caribbean, South Pacific, and Southeast Asia.

The Peace Ark serves as a floating symbol of China's growing blue-water naval capabilities and its soft-power diplomacy, using humanitarian medical missions to foster international relationships and provide aid across the globe.