A medical staff member from the Chinese People's Liberation Army Navy hospital ship Auspicious Ark examines a child with a stethoscope at the Port of Abidjan, Cote d'Ivoire, Oct. 19, 2026. The hospital ship departed the Port of Abidjan on Wednesday morning, concluding a seven-day friendly visit and its medical service mission to Cote d'Ivoire. (Xinhua/Zhang Jian)

ABIDJAN, Oct. 21 (Xinhua) -- The Chinese People's Liberation Army Navy hospital ship Auspicious Ark departed the Port of Abidjan on Wednesday morning, concluding a seven-day friendly visit and its medical service mission to Cote d'Ivoire.

At around 9:40 a.m. local time, Ivorian military and government officials, China's ambassador to Cote d'Ivoire, the defense attache and embassy staff, local residents, and representatives of the Chinese community and Chinese enterprises gathered at the port to see off the ship. The crowd waved the national flags of China and Cote d'Ivoire and bade farewell to the hospital ship and its mission personnel.

During the visit, the hospital ship provided medical services to local residents aboard the vessel. A medical outreach team visited Felix Houphouet-Boigny University and a local orphanage to provide medical services, while a medical exchange team visited the Abidjan Military Hospital for academic exchanges with Ivorian medical personnel.

On Sunday, Chinese medical personnel conducted breast health awareness activities for local women, taking into account the characteristics of breast diseases among women in West Africa. Through the distribution of educational materials and health examinations, they raised awareness of breast disease prevention and treatment and encouraged women to pay greater attention to their health and undergo regular examinations.

Cote d'Ivoire was the fourth stop of the Auspicious Ark's visit and medical service mission. During the visit, the mission commander held talks with Ivorian military and government officials to enhance mutual understanding and strengthen friendship and mutual trust.

A medical staff member from the Chinese People's Liberation Army Navy hospital ship Auspicious Ark examines a patient's teeth at the Port of Abidjan, Cote d'Ivoire, Oct. 19, 2026. The hospital ship departed the Port of Abidjan on Wednesday morning, concluding a seven-day friendly visit and its medical service mission to Cote d'Ivoire. (Xinhua/Zhang Jian)

A medical staff member from the Chinese People's Liberation Army Navy hospital ship Auspicious Ark communicates with a patient with the help of a volunteer at the Port of Abidjan, Cote d'Ivoire, Oct. 15, 2026. The hospital ship departed the Port of Abidjan on Wednesday morning, concluding a seven-day friendly visit and its medical service mission to Cote d'Ivoire. (Xinhua/Zhang Jian)

This photo taken on Oct. 19, 2026 shows the Chinese People's Liberation Army Navy hospital ship Auspicious Ark docking at the Port of Abidjan, Cote d'Ivoire. The hospital ship departed the Port of Abidjan on Wednesday morning, concluding a seven-day friendly visit and its medical service mission to Cote d'Ivoire. (Xinhua/Zhang Jian)

A medical staff member from the Chinese People's Liberation Army Navy hospital ship Auspicious Ark conducts an eye examination on a patient with the help of a volunteer at the Port of Abidjan, Cote d'Ivoire, Oct. 15, 2026. The hospital ship departed the Port of Abidjan on Wednesday morning, concluding a seven-day friendly visit and its medical service mission to Cote d'Ivoire. (Xinhua/Zhang Jian)

A medical staff member from the Chinese People's Liberation Army Navy hospital ship Auspicious Ark conducts an eye examination on a patient with the help of a volunteer at the Port of Abidjan, Cote d'Ivoire, Oct. 15, 2026. The hospital ship departed the Port of Abidjan on Wednesday morning, concluding a seven-day friendly visit and its medical service mission to Cote d'Ivoire. (Xinhua/Zhang Jian)