PORT MORESBY, 16 April 2026— More than 5,500 Papua New Guineans have received free medical treatment from the visiting Silk Road Ark Hospital Ship, as the vessel departed Papua New Guinea this week after making the country its final stop on its first overseas mission.
Chinese Ambassador Yang Xiaoguang said the ship’s six-day visit delivered vital healthcare services to local communities, including hundreds of surgeries, while strengthening ties between PNG and China.
“Over the past six days since the ship arrived, the Chinese medical experts have provided various physical examination and treatment services to around 5,500 local residents, performed over 340 surgeries… all were free of charge,” he said.
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As the ship departed Port Moresby, Ambassador Yang highlighted the significance of PNG being chosen as the final destination of the mission.
“PNG is the final stop of this journey. As the saying goes, ‘Save the best for last,’” he said.
“The visit of the hospital ship fully speaks to the importance that China attaches to PNG and to China-PNG relations.”
The visit comes as the two nations mark 50 years of diplomatic relations, with the ambassador describing it as a milestone in bilateral engagement.
“This is a visit that deepens friendship,” he said. “As a Chinese saying goes, ‘more exchanges will bring families and friends closer together.’”
He pointed to continued high-level exchanges between the two countries, including the 2018 visit by Chinese President Xi Jinping and visits to China by Prime Minister James Marape.
Ambassador Yang said medical cooperation remains a cornerstone of the relationship.
“Medical and health cooperation has always been a highlight in our bilateral relationship,” he said.
China has sent medical teams to PNG for 24 consecutive years and supported key health infrastructure, including the New Enga Provincial Hospital.
During the visit, Chinese and PNG medical professionals also exchanged knowledge and expertise, further strengthening cooperation in the health sector.
“This is a visit that benefits the people,” Ambassador Yang said.
“The hard work of all the medical staff has made significant contributions to the improvement of the health of PNG people, as well as the deepening of the friendship between our two sides.”
He said the mission reflects China’s broader commitment to peace and development.
“China has always been a builder of world peace, a contributor to global development and a defender of international order,” he said.
Looking ahead, Ambassador Yang reaffirmed China’s commitment to strengthening ties with PNG.
“Standing at this new historical starting point… China stands ready to work together with PNG, to maintain close high-level exchanges, deepen practical cooperation and carry forward our traditional friendship,” he said.
As the ship sailed out of Port Moresby, its legacy remained — in the thousands of lives touched and in the strengthening partnership between PNG and China.
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