China Disputes Report of Artillery Shell in Papua New Guinea
Papua New Guinea police had earlier dismissed speculation that the 32kg object was merely a dummy. China has now disputed reports that it is an artillery shell, so the object's nature remains in dispute.
Context
Papua New Guinea is a Pacific nation with close ties to Australia and growing Chinese engagement, which makes any foreign-linked incident a regional concern. Such disputes often turn on whether an object is a weapon or a harmless item.
Burning Potato score: 51%