SANTIAGO, Chile, Feb 27 (Reuters) – Chile has refused to allow a Chinese hospital ship to provide medical services on board, saying the ship lacks authorization to treat local residents, a decision that comes amid increased pressure from the United States on a proposed undersea cable project.
The Silk Road Ark hospital ship, currently on a voyage to about a dozen countries, arrived in the waters near the Chilean port city of Valparaiso on Wednesday.
Chile’s health ministry, through its regional office, said it had been reviewing a request from the foreign ministry in late 2025 to provide medical services to locals on board the ship, but would not grant authorization.
“We do not consider it appropriate to authorize this sanitary operation to be carried out onboard facilities,” the ministry said, referring to local health regulations that limit such services to professionals recognized in the country.
The Chinese Embassy in Chile did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Chile has been dealing with pressure from Washington on its relationship with China.
The United States said it would impose visa restrictions on three Chilean officials, saying they damaged critical telecommunications infrastructure and undermined regional security.
Chilean Foreign Minister Alberto Van Claveren said a proposal by two Chinese companies to build an undersea cable between Chile and Hong Kong has attracted the attention of the United States, which believes the project could pose a security threat.
Chilean officials said the project is in its early stages and has not yet been confirmed.
(Reporting by Fabian Cambero; Editing by Cassandra Garrison and Ethan Smith)
