Chile has rejected allowing the Chinese navy’s “Silk Road Ark” medical ship to provide medical services to the people of Chile, citing the reason that the ship has not been authorized to provide medical services to local residents. This move comes at a time when the United States is exerting greater pressure on Chile.
According to Reuters, the “Silk Road Ark” medical ship is currently visiting over a dozen countries and arrived near the port city of Valparaiso in Chile on Wednesday.
The Chilean Ministry of Health, through its regional office, stated that they have been reviewing a request received at the end of 2025. The request sought Chile’s permission for the “Silk Road Ark” to provide medical services to local residents aboard the ship.
The Ministry of Health stated that they ultimately decided it was not appropriate to authorize the “Silk Road Ark” to carry out this medical operation on board. The Ministry of Health explained that local health regulations require such services to be provided only by certified professionals in Chile.
Chile has faced pressure from the United States due to its relationship with China.
Chilean Foreign Minister Alberto van Klaveren stated that proposals from two Chinese companies to build an underwater cable connecting Chile and Hong Kong have raised concerns in the United States. The U.S. believes that since most global information is transmitted through undersea cables, the project involves national security issues.
Officials in Chile stated that the project is still in the early stages and has not been confirmed.
On February 20, the U.S. State Department announced visa restrictions on three Chilean officials, accusing them of posing a threat to regional security. These three individuals are reportedly linked to the underwater digital cable project proposed by Chinese companies.
U.S. Ambassador to Chile, Brandon Judd, revealed to the media on February 23 that the Trump administration had warned Chile to carefully consider foreign capital entering its telecommunications network and urged them to review investments, or else Chile could lose its visa waiver status with the United States.
Former Nicaraguan Ambassador to the Organization of American States (OAS), Arturo McFields, wrote in late January in The Hill that concerns about China are not uncommon and not baseless. A research report by the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) titled “Surveying the Seas” emphasized that China has adopted a dual-use strategy in maritime research. A clear example is that out of 64 ships operating in the Indian Ocean, 80% have military geopolitical purposes.
The “Silk Road Ark” is affiliated with the Chinese navy. Although official Chinese statements claim that the purpose of regional patrols is to provide medical services, it also includes joint exercises with local military forces and other activities.
In early January, the U.S. ordered military action against Venezuela and captured Venezuelan President Maduro, making China the loser. McFields stated that after the situation in Venezuela changed, China took some symbolic actions. The “Silk Road Ark” medical ship, initially planned to visit 12 countries, expanded its itinerary to 14 countries, including Jamaica, Barbados, Peru, Mexico, Brazil, and Chile. Just days after President Trump announced his national security strategy (with a focus on Latin America), Beijing issued its “China’s Policy Document on Latin America and the Caribbean.”
In January, China organized a joint military exercise in South Africa involving members of the BRICS countries and Iran. McFields said that due to the absence of India and Brazil, this show of force suffered a setback. The symbolic moves by India and Brazil partly stem from the “Trump effect,” which has weakened China’s influence in the global South and Latin America.