Social media is abuzz with speculation about what appears to be a site earmarked for a “patriotic education base” in a far-flung New Territories village.
A photo and video posted to Facebook on Feb. 28 show an abandoned lot surrounded by wire fences and covered in fallen leaves and weeds, with a shiny, metal plaque reading “Hong Kong Patriotic Education Base.”
According to the Facebook post, the site is in a village area called Luk Keng, near the border town of Sha Tau Kok close to Shenzhen.
The 1,000 square feet lot is barren, save for a sole chair placed near the gate.
In the comments online, some speculated whether the government is planning to open a “re-education camp” to force Hongkongers to be loyal to the Communist Party.
“Will it be another Xinjiang?” One person wrote.
Many said the sign was likely put up as a joke to stir online chatter, and not to take it seriously.
“Real re-education camps would not have this kind of shady sign. They’d be very low-key, disguising themselves as vocational training [camps],” another person said.
A nearby resident told Apple Daily that the area was fenced off about a month ago and that he has not seen anyone stepping inside since then.
It is unclear who installed the sign and how long it has been put up.
The land is owned by Trade Advisors Company Limited, a firm that buys and sells property. The company has been accused of forced land acquisition in the past, local media reported.
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