Chile's Ministry of Health, acting through its regional office, has denied authorization for the Chinese hospital ship Silk Road Ark to operate medical services for local residents aboard the vessel, officials said. The ship, which is on a multinational itinerary visiting about a dozen countries, had arrived in waters off the Chilean port city of Valparaiso on Wednesday.
Health authorities indicated that a request for the ship to offer medical care to Chilean residents had been submitted via the foreign ministry at the end of 2025. After review, the ministry concluded the operation could not be approved under domestic law.
"We determined that it is not appropriate to authorize this health operation to function on the ship’s facilities," the health ministry said, citing a local health code that limits provision of such services to professionals accredited within Chile.
China's embassy in Chile did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the decision or on the ship's mission. The denial comes as Chile navigates intensified diplomatic pressure from the United States regarding its relations with China.
Separately, the U.S. announced it would impose visa restrictions on three Chilean officials, citing actions it said compromised critical telecommunications infrastructure and undermined regional security. The move was part of broader U.S. scrutiny related to telecommunications projects and perceived security risks.
Chilean foreign minister Alberto van Klaveren has said that a proposal by two Chinese companies to build an undersea cable linking Chile and Hong Kong has been a focus of U.S. concern. Washington has suggested the proposed cable could present a security threat, according to statements referenced by Chilean officials.
Chilean authorities have emphasized that the undersea cable proposal remains at an early stage and has not been confirmed. Officials said the project is under preliminary consideration and no final decision has been made.
The decision to deny onboard medical services highlights the intersection of public health regulation and geopolitics. Chile's enforcement of accreditation requirements under its health code effectively prevented the Silk Road Ark from carrying out medical operations for local patients while in Chilean waters. At the same time, diplomatic frictions over telecommunications infrastructure and possible security implications continue to shape interactions between Santiago, Beijing, and Washington.