Chinese authorities have rejected reports that a suspected China-made artillery shell was discovered in a commercial shipping container in Papua New Guinea, insisting the object is merely a "shell-shaped wine bottle." The Chinese embassy in Port Moresby made the claim in a Facebook post on Tuesday, asserting that the item "poses no danger at all." The statement has drawn skepticism and ridicule from social media users.
Discovery and Arrests
The controversy began last Friday when police in Port Moresby arrested four Chinese nationals after a 32-kilogram object was found at a construction site in the capital. Authorities were initially investigating whether the object was a live explosive device. Police Commissioner David Manning described the find as "a very concerning discovery" at the time.
Local newspaper Post Courier reported that police had earlier dismissed speculation that the object was "merely a dummy." The arrests and the nature of the object prompted an international inquiry.
Conflicting Reports
On Wednesday, the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) cited unnamed sources identifying the object as an undetonated 130mm Chinese Type 59 artillery projectile containing chemical explosives and a fuse. The BBC has not independently verified this claim. The report added fuel to the dispute, raising questions about how such a device could have ended up in Papua New Guinea.
The Chinese embassy, however, strongly refuted the possibility that a military-grade artillery shell could be smuggled out of China. In its statement, the embassy said it is "virtually impossible" for such an item to leave the country illegally, emphasizing that China enforces some of the world's strictest firearm control laws and regulations. It further described China as "widely recognised as one of the safest countries globally."
Public Skepticism
The embassy's explanation has been met with disbelief online. One Facebook user commented, "What sort of wine bottle weighs 32 kilograms?" Another pointed out that the object bore no labels indicating it was a wine bottle. The embassy's post has since been shared widely, with many questioning the plausibility of a 32kg wine bottle.
The incident has strained relations between China and Papua New Guinea, a Pacific nation that has increasingly close ties with Beijing. It also highlights concerns over the smuggling of military materials and the enforcement of export controls.
As investigations continue, Papua New Guinea authorities have not commented on the embassy's latest statement. The four arrested Chinese nationals remain in custody, and police have not announced any charges. The case has drawn attention to the broader issue of security and trade in the region, with observers calling for a transparent inquiry.
The Chinese embassy's Facebook post has not been updated since Tuesday, and it remains unclear whether the embassy will provide further evidence to support its claim. For now, the mystery of the 32kg object persists, leaving many to wonder whether it is a weapon or a wine bottle.
