Chinese Navy Hospital Ship Concludes Medical Mission in Mauritania

The Chinese People's Liberation Army Navy hospital ship Jixiang Fangzhou departed Mauritania on September 22 following a weeklong humanitarian deployment under the Harmonious Mission-2026 task force. Docked at Nouakchott's Friendship Port since September 15, the ship's medical personnel logged more than 7,500 patient consultations across onboard clinics and shore-based medical teams, carried out 38 surgical operations, and delivered a newborn. Mission commanders also held bilateral meetings with Mauritanian defense officials, blending naval public diplomacy with humanitarian medical outreach.

The deployment underscores China's established model of using military medical diplomacy to project an image of benevolent global engagement. By delivering tangible public health assistance and engaging local defense leadership, the People's Liberation Army Navy reinforces political goodwill and military-to-military ties with Atlantic-facing African nations without relying on overt displays of hard power.

The Chinese People's Liberation Army Navy hospital ship Jixiang Fangzhou departed Nouakchott's Friendship Port on the morning of September 22, concluding a weeklong medical service and goodwill tour in Mauritania, according to reports by Xinhua and People's Daily. The vessel, operating under the banner of "Harmonious Mission-2026," had arrived in the Mauritanian capital on September 15. A send-off ceremony at the pier was attended by Mauritanian military and government officials, representatives from the Chinese Embassy—including the chargé d'affaires and defense attaché—as well as members of Chinese institutions and the local community. During its stay, the hospital ship served as an offshore clinical facility. According to Chinese state media, the main shipboard platform logged 6,864 outpatient visits, conducted 143 routine physical examinations, and performed 38 surgical operations across specialties including ophthalmology, general surgery, and orthopedics. Medical staff also delivered a newborn during the mission, referred to by Chinese personnel as the deployment's first "lucky baby." In addition to treating patients aboard the ship, mobile medical teams were sent ashore to provide consultations to 682 individuals at local hospitals and community sites, where personnel conducted health education sessions and held professional exchanges with Mauritanian clinicians. Alongside medical activities, the deployment included extensive defense diplomacy. Mission commanding officers conducted official courtesy calls with Mauritania's Ministry of National Defense, the General Staff of the Armed Forces, and the Mauritanian Navy. Chinese personnel also visited the Nouakchott Port Authority and a local military hospital. The ship hosted an open-deck day that drew over 100 visitors, including Mauritanian military personnel and members of the overseas Chinese community. Joint activities included a friendly soccer match between Chinese and Mauritanian personnel, as well as an early deck reception co-hosted with the Chinese Embassy marking the 77th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China.