Chinese Embassy Calls 32‑kg Object in Port Moresby a Wine Bottle, Police Arrest Four Nationals

A 32‑kg object found in Port Moresby sparks debate

Police in Port Moresby discovered a 32‑kg object at a construction site on 1 November 2026. The item was seized from a commercial shipping container and was subsequently handed over to authorities for investigation. Four Chinese nationals were arrested the following day after the discovery.

The object has attracted international attention because some experts believe it to be a live Chinese artillery projectile. According to the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC), anonymous informants characterized the object as a 130-mm Type 59 Chinese artillery shell equipped with chemical explosives and a fuse. The BBC has not independently confirmed the allegation.

Chinese embassy denies the shell theory

In a Facebook post on 2 November, the Chinese embassy in Port Moresby dismissed the reports that the object was a weapon. The embassy described it as a “shell‑shaped wine bottle” and said it posed no danger. It further noted that moving an illicit military-grade artillery shell from China to Papua New Guinea is nearly impossible, referencing the nation's rigorous firearm regulations.

The post attracted sceptical comments from users who questioned the plausibility of a 32‑kg wine bottle and noted that the object bore no wine‑label markings.

Police reaction and investigation

Police commissioner David Manning labeled the find as highly alarming and stated that officials are investigating whether the item is an active weapon. Earlier, Papua New Guinea police had dismissed speculation that the object was merely a dummy, according to the local newspaper Post Courier.

The police have not yet released details about the condition of the object or the outcome of the investigation. The four arrested Chinese nationals are being held for questioning.

Why it matters

The incident highlights concerns about the movement of military‑grade equipment across international borders. If the object is indeed a live artillery shell, it would represent a serious breach of both Papua New Guinea’s and China’s regulations on weapons. The Chinese embassy’s statement that the item is harmless and that smuggling such a device is unlikely has been met with scepticism, raising questions about the transparency of the investigation.

The case also underscores the need for clear evidence before drawing conclusions about the nature of suspicious objects. The ABC’s report that the object contains chemical explosives and a fuse suggests that it could pose a danger if mishandled.

What happens next

The police investigation is ongoing. No official statement has been issued regarding the fate of the four arrested nationals or the final determination of the object’s nature. The Chinese embassy has not announced any further actions.

The incident remains unresolved, and further information will be released as the investigation proceeds.