Soft power ‘win’ for Beijing as Chinese medical ship treats 5,400 for free in PNG

China's hospital ship Silk Road Ark completed a 7-day visit to Papua New Guinea, providing free medical services to 5,493 patients and performing 339 surgeries before departing Wednesday. The mission is viewed as effective soft power diplomacy for Beijing, as China can undertake surgical risks that Western nations like the U.S. and Australia are reluctant to assume due to liability concerns.