Organizers of the Fongshan Marathon in southern Taiwan have issued an apology after mistakenly awarding Type 95 automatic rifle-shaped trophies, firearms used by China’s People's Liberation Army, to race winners. The incident, which sparked controversy, was acknowledged by the organizers on Sunday, according to the Taipei Times. The marathon took place in Kaohsiung's Fongshan District, with routes passing through three military institutions: the Military Academy, the Fongshan Army Infantry School, and the Chung Cheng Armed Forces Preparatory School. The event’s connection to military sites was intended to honor Taiwan’s armed forces.
 

Hsu's office, responsible for organizing the marathon, extended an apology to the involved departments and the public, emphasizing that the rifle-shaped trophies were a result of a co-organizer's oversight. Hsu reassured the public that steps are being taken to retrieve and replace the trophies as soon as possible. The event's co-organizer, the Kaohsiung City Fongshan Jogging Association, clarified that the rifle-shaped design was selected purely for its aesthetic appeal and relevance to the marathon's military theme. The association denied any intention to promote symbols linked to China's military or engage in "united front" efforts — a term often linked to Chinese influence operations.
 

“We had no ulterior motives,” the association stated, urging the public to refrain from spreading false accusations that could undermine the efforts of the marathon’s organizers. In response to the incident, the army, which provided the venues for the marathon, stated that it would remind organizers to exercise greater caution in future events to prevent similar mishaps. The manufacturer responsible for producing the controversial trophies has been instructed to create new replacement trophies, and event staff will contact winners once the updated awards are ready. This unexpected incident has drawn public attention, with critics questioning how a symbol directly tied to China’s military was mistakenly chosen for an event that celebrates Taiwan’s armed forces. Organizers have since committed to stricter oversight in future events to avoid further controversy.