China disputes reported shell finding in Papua New Guinea

China’s embassy in Papua New Guinea says a shell-shaped object found in Port Moresby is a harmless wine bottle, disputing a reported police finding that it is an unexploded artillery projectile.

The Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) reported that the 32kg object was found in a commercial shipping container at a major wharf in the capital. Four Chinese nationals were arrested on 30 October in connection with the discovery.

Police and military explosives experts secured the object and took it away for analysis. Police Commissioner David Manning said the area had been cordoned off before specialists examined the object and moved it to a secure facility.

High-level sources told ABC that a police report completed on 3 November identified the object as an undetonated Chinese Type 59 artillery projectile, measuring 130mm and containing explosives and a fuse. ABC reported that it had been examined using an X-ray machine, and that the report had been passed to criminal investigators.

The embassy said a company linked to the incident had carried out an on-site check and found the object was a shell-shaped wine bottle that posed no danger. It said it was awaiting the official findings of the police investigation.