Modernization Military Diplomacy

Navy Hospital Ship "Jixiang Fangzhou" Makes Technical Port Call at China's Support Base in Djibouti

海军“吉祥方舟”号医院船技术停靠我驻吉布提保障基地

PLA Daily (解放军报) 12 August 2026

Summary

The Navy hospital ship Jixiang Fangzhou, operating under the Harmonious Mission-2026 deployment that began July 22, made a technical port call at China's Support Base in Djibouti on August 11 to take on fuel and provisions and provide medical services to personnel from both the base and the 48th Escort Task Force. The visit documents routine logistical integration between the Djibouti base and an active humanitarian mission deployment — specifically, the base functioning as a resupply and crew-exchange node for a ship already at sea. What remains unspecified is the Jixiang Fangzhou's next port of call and the full itinerary of Harmonious Mission-2026.

Translation

Navy Hospital Ship "Jixiang Fangzhou" Makes Technical Port Call at China's Support Base in Djibouti

The hospital ship "Jixiang Fangzhou" makes a technical port call at the pier of China's Support Base in Djibouti. Photo by Mi Peng

PLA Daily, Djibouti, August 11 — Reported by Zhang Gan and Zhou Jianlong: At local time on August 11, the Chinese Navy hospital ship "Jixiang Fangzhou," executing the "Harmonious Mission-2026" task, began a technical port call at China's Support Base in Djibouti.

At around 0700, the hospital ship "Jixiang Fangzhou" berthed at the pier of China's Support Base in Djibouti. Staff from the Chinese Embassy in Djibouti, officers and soldiers of China's Support Base in Djibouti, and representative officers and soldiers of the Navy's 48th Escort Task Force gathered at the pier to receive the ship and held a welcoming ceremony.

During the technical port call, the hospital ship will take on fuel, staple and non-staple food, and other supplies, and will provide medical diagnosis and treatment services for officers and soldiers of the Djibouti Support Base and the Navy's 48th Escort Task Force. Task officers, soldiers, and civilian personnel will visit China's Support Base in Djibouti in batches, and base officers and soldiers will also visit the hospital ship.

Since setting sail on July 22, the task force executing "Harmonious Mission-2026" has conducted training in counterterrorism, counter-piracy, maritime medical rescue, and other areas, effectively enhancing emergency response capabilities and ensuring that personnel and equipment are maintained in optimal condition.

Original Chinese

海军“吉祥方舟”号医院船技术停靠我驻吉布提保障基地 “吉祥方舟”号医院船技术停靠我驻吉布提保障基地码头。米鹏摄解放军报吉布提8月11日电张淦、周建龙报道：当地时间8月11日，执行“和谐使命-2026”任务的中国海军“吉祥方舟”号医院船，开始在我驻吉布提保障基地进行技术停靠。 7时许，“吉祥方舟”号医院船靠泊我驻吉布提保障基地码头。中国驻吉布提大使馆工作人员、我驻吉布提保障基地官兵、海军第48批护航编队官兵代表等在码头迎接，并举行欢迎仪式。技术停靠期间，医院船将进行油料、主副食等物资补给，并为吉布提保障基地官兵和海军第48批护航编队官兵展开诊疗服务。任务官兵和文职人员将分批次参观我驻吉布提保障基地，基地官兵也将参观医院船。自7月22日起航以来，执行“和谐使命-2026”的任务部队先后进行了反恐反海盗、海上医疗救护等训练，有效提升应急处置能力，确保人员装备保持最佳状态。