China has disputed reports that a 32kg object in Papua New Guinea was an artillery shell, leaving its exact nature unresolved.
The object has become the subject of conflicting claims. Reports described it as a possible piece of artillery, while Chinese authorities challenged that characterisation.
Papua New Guinea police had previously rejected speculation that the object was “merely a dummy”. That statement indicated that officers did not accept the suggestion that it was simply an inert replica, although the available information does not establish what the object actually is.
The competing positions have created uncertainty over whether the item was a weapon, a replica or something else. No further details about its origin, location or final identification are provided in the available material.
