PNG Police Find Chinese Projectile; China Claims It Was Wine Bottle
Four Chinese nationals remain in custody in Port Moresby after police and military explosives experts secured an undetonated 130mm Chinese Type 59 Artillery Projectile from a commercial shipping container at a major wharf on Friday, according to the Australian Broadcasting Corporation.
High-level sources confirmed to abc.net.au that a police report finalized today identified the 32-kilogram device as containing chemical explosives and a fuse. Authorities analyzed the military-grade munition using an X-ray machine donated by Australia to the Royal Papua New Guinea Police.
Embassy Dismisses Weapon as Shell-Shaped Wine Bottle
The Chinese Embassy in Port Moresby challenged the police findings through a social media statement posted today. Officials claimed that a company linked to the shipment conducted an on-site verification and determined the object was merely a decorative container.
According to the company involved and following an on-site verification, the object in question — reported as an ‘artillery shell’ — is in fact a shell-shaped wine bottle, the embassy statement reads. It poses no danger at all.
The embassy statement also downplayed the feasibility of a Chinese-made military weapon being trafficked into Papua New Guinea. Officials maintained that they were keeping local police fully updated on developments while awaiting official findings.
Police Secure the Port Moresby Wharf
Police Commissioner David Manning praised the swift response of officers who locked down the area upon discovering the item last week. The containment allowed military explosive disposal experts to enter the site, examine the munition, and transport it to a secure facility.
Police acted quickly upon receiving information that the artillery round had been discovered, Commissioner Manning stated.
China recently urged Papua New Guinea to avoid signing any defense treaty with Australia that might exclude or restrict third-party cooperation in the Pacific nation.