Photo: A screenshot of the Rongjiang county government notice on December 8, 2025

The local government of Rongjiang county in Southwest China’s Guizhou Province updated late night on Monday that after a preliminary investigation and verification by public security authorities, Chongqing Yunshen Wilderness Outdoor Sports Company, the organizer of the wilderness survival event in Liangwang township of the Rongjiang county, is suspected of illegal and criminal conduct and relevant responsible persons have now been formally placed under investigation in accordance with the law. 

According to a notice released by the Rongjiang county government on late Monday night, recently, netizens and contestants participating the wilderness survival event reported numerous issues with the event organized by the aforementioned company. 

Regarding the harassment allegation reported by the female contestant, No.33 of the event, who claimed some safety staff touched her hand and engaged in other inappropriate behavior, after on-site investigation, physical inspection and collection of witness statements by the public security authorities, no evidence was found to substantiate that the safety staff engaged in the alleged conduct, read the notice. 

In the statement released by the Rongjiang County Bureau of Culture, Sports, Radio, Television, and Tourism on Sunday night, it was confirmed that the event organized by Chongqing Yunshen Wilderness Outdoor Sports Company in Guizhou's Liangwang township began on December 2 and was terminated on December 6.  

The termination was attributed to recent low temperatures and high forest fire risk levels, ensuring the personal safety of all participants.  

The statement also emphasized that the local government is highly attentive to widespread concerns among netizens regarding issues such as unfairness in the event organization, inadequate safety and service guarantees, and allegations that safety personnel hired by the company harassed female participants.  

The termination of the wilderness survival event in the Rongjiang county has attracted widespread attention. On Monday morning, the person in charge of the event's organizing company, along with several participating contestants, released relevant video expressing their apologies.

The head for Chongqing company admitted in that video on Monday morning that, "There were serious deficiencies in the planning and execution of this event. The contestants were not treated fairly, openly and impartially. The potential risks that the event might bring were underestimated."

The event attracted wide attention since signing up. The registration fee for the competition was 1,280 yuan （$181）, with 200 spots available, attracting 4,000 people to sign up. The champion will receive a reward of 100,000 yuan, media reports said.

Global Times