Marathon organizers apologize for prizes in the shape of a Chinese machine gun

A Fongshan Marathon trophy modeled after the Type 95 automatic rifle

The organizers of a marathon in southern Taiwan, including a member of the self-governing island republic’s legislature, apologized Sunday after giving out prizes in the shape of a golden Chinese machine gun.

Legislator Hsu Chi-chieh, of the ruling Democratic Progressive party that favors the island’s independence from China, apologized and said the use of the image of a Chinese QBZ-95 on trophies for top winners was an unintentional mistake. Those given the trophies would be given the option of choosing a different one.

China claims Taiwan as its own territory and threatens to use force to bring it under its control.

In an address to the island last week, Taiwan’s leader William Lai Ching-te reminded residents that Taiwan law designates mainland China as a “foreign hostile force” and said tougher measures were being taken to prevent Chinese subversion through the media and civic exchanges. Lai warned also of the danger of influential figures and serving and retired members of the military selling secrets to China.

His comments were promptly slamed by Beijing. On Thursday, a Chinese mainland spokesperson said that no individual or force will be allowed to split Taiwan from China, and that there is no room for “Taiwan independence” separatist activities in any form.

“If the separatist forces dare to cross the red line, resolute actions will be taken in response,” said Chen Binhua, a spokesperson for the State Council Taiwan Affairs Office, as quoted by Xinhua.

Underscoring the apparent incompetence behind the incident, the Fengshan Marathon held near the major southern port of Kaohsiung wound its way through the Taiwanese Military Academy, the Army Infantry Training Command and the Chung Cheng Armed Forces Preparatory School, all affiliated with the Defense Ministry.

The Fengshan Road Running Association apologized for the use of the Chinese rifle and said a weapon had been selected because of this year race’s affiliation with the military, but said nothing as to why a weapon in current use with China’s ground forces was chosen.

The Defense Ministry was quoted by the official Central News Agency as saying it had provided facilities but had nothing to do with organizing the race or the choice of prizes.

Military service, now lengthened to one year, is compulsory for all Taiwanese men, making them familiar with rifles and other weapons used by the army. MDT/Agencies