Explosive found at PNG wharf a 'wine bottle', Chinese embassy says

In short:

Chinese government officials have suggested a large shell-shaped object found at a Papua New Guinea wharf is a "wine bottle".

A police report has identified it as an undetonated artillery projectile that contains chemical explosives and a fuse.

What's next?

The report on the explosive has been provided to criminal investigators handling the case.

A large Chinese military-grade explosive found in a commercial shipping container in Papua New Guinea is a legitimate weapon, the ABC can reveal, despite Chinese government officials suggesting the object was a wine bottle.

Four Chinese nationals were arrested and taken into custody on Friday after the suspected artillery round was located at a major wharf in Port Moresby.

PNG police and military explosives experts secured the device and took it away for analysis.

Today, the Chinese Embassy in Port Moresby posted on social media, saying a company linked to the incident had conducted an "on-site verification" and found the object was a shell-shaped wine bottle.

"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 statement reads.

" It poses no danger at all. "

They also downplayed the feasibility of a military weapon being trafficked into Papua New Guinea.

Chinese officials said they were keeping PNG police "fully updated on the developments" while awaiting official findings of the police investigation.

High-level sources told the ABC a police report finalised today identified the object as an undetonated 130mm Chinese Type 59 Artillery Projectile that contains chemical explosives and a fuse.

An X-ray device that Australia donated to the Royal Papua New Guinea Police was used to analyse the device.

Sources said the police report had been provided to criminal investigators handling the case.

Last week, PNG's Police Commissioner David Manning praised the work of officers involved in responding to the incident.

"Police acted quickly upon receiving information that the artillery round had been discovered. The area was secured to prevent the risk of harm in the surrounding area," he said.

"This enabled police and military explosive disposal experts to move in, examine the device and have it safely moved to be stored in a secure facility."

The Chinese nationals arrested in relation to the case remain in custody in Port Moresby.