On Sunday, November 2, 2026, the Chinese People's Liberation Army Navy hospital ship Auspicious Ark arrived in Lomé, Togo’s capital, for the first visit by a Chinese naval hospital ship to the West African nation. The vessel is underway with Mission Harmony‑2026, its name indicating a broader collaborative effort between the two governments.
During the stay the ship will perform medical services for local patients aboard, while a Chinese medical team is slated to visit a Togolese military hospital for academic exchanges. The visit will also feature a deck reception and a friendly basketball match with Togolese military personnel, events intended to deepen cultural ties and friendship.
Diplomatic relations between China and Togo trace back to 1972. In September 2024 the two nations upgraded their ties to a comprehensive strategic partnership, and in October 2026 the heads of state announced an elevation to a China‑Togo community with a shared future for the new era.
