China embassy disputes PNG artillery shell report, says object was wine bottle

Key facts

• China's embassy in Papua New Guinea said the object found in a Port Moresby shipping container was a shell-shaped wine bottle.
• The embassy said it was awaiting the official findings of an investigation by the Royal Papua New Guinea Constabulary.
• The embassy cited an on-site verification by a company involved in the case that found the object was a wine bottle.

China's embassy in Papua New Guinea disputed reports that a suspected Chinese-made artillery shell was found in a shipping container in Port Moresby, saying the object was instead a shell-shaped wine bottle. The embassy made the statement in a social media post on Tuesday, November 3, 2026.

The embassy said it was awaiting the official findings of an investigation by the Royal Papua New Guinea Constabulary. It cited an on-site verification by a company involved in the case, which the embassy said found the object was a wine bottle.