Tensions have overflowed at the APEC summit in Papua New Guinea, after a group of Chinese officials tried to force their way into a Minister's office.

Key points: The Chinese officials had to be removed from Rimbink Pato's office

The Chinese officials had to be removed from Rimbink Pato's office Police stationed at the government building were asked to keep a closer eye on the Minister's office

Police stationed at the government building were asked to keep a closer eye on the Minister's office The Chinese delegation has been accused of "bullying" PNG officials

Four Chinese officials barged into the office of Papua New Guinea's Foreign Minister Rimbink Pato on Saturday afternoon after being denied a meeting.

The ABC understands the Chinese Senior Officials Meeting negotiators wanted to meet with the Minister to discuss the wording of the APEC final communique.

When they were repeatedly denied a meeting they pushed their way into Mr Pato's office, calling out to the Minister for two minutes of his time.

Security was called to the office and the officials had to be forced from the room.

The officials eventually left of their own accord.

The incident has been detailed to the ABC by multiple, independent sources, however a Chinese official has denied it happened.

The director general of The Department of International Economic Affairs, Wang Xiaolong, said it was "simply not true".

"We have had constant, very close interactions with our PNG colleagues and we're in constant close touch with one another and we're mostly on the same page — both on the process and substance of the agenda," he said.

"We very much admire the very good work that has been done by the PNG chair and we would like to congratulate our PNG colleagues on having hosted a very successful APEC summit, given the circumstances.

"I think they've done very good work."

Since the story has been publicised Mr Pato has provided additional comment, saying in a statement the "incident" was "not an issue for PNG at all and the APEC conference thus far has been a resounding success."

Mr Pato's office added he had very cordial relations with his counterpart Wang Yi and had met him several times on Sunday, with no issues, as the negotiations continued.

A spokesman from Mr Pato's office confirmed a meeting was requested and denied, but would not comment on whether there was a confrontation.

The office said the Minister did not want to meet with the officials because he wanted to protect his impartiality as chairman.

It is understood that police stationed at the building were asked to keep an eye on the Minister's office following the confrontation.

Chinese delegation accused of 'bullying'

This is not the first instance of Chinese officials clashing with staff from the PNG Government.

Several officials from the PNG Government have complained about how the Chinese delegation has behaved during the visit, accusing them of "bullying".

Chinese officials denied the media access to a meeting between the Chinese President Xi Jinping and Pacific leaders, after the PNG Government had invited journalists to cover it.

Geopolitical tensions have been overshadowing this year's APEC summit, with the United States, Australia and China all battling for influence in the region.

US Vice-President Mike Pence and Mr Xi traded barbs during speeches on Saturday, with Mr Pence accusing Beijing of debt-trap diplomacy and Mr Xi warning the US against protectionism.

Later, Mr Pence announced plans for the US, Australia and PNG to redevelop a joint naval base on Manus Island, a move one analyst described as a "significant pushback" against China's strategic ambitions in the Pacific region.