Masked activists document Hong Kong's fading history

Masked activists document Hong Kong's fading history

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Atop Hong Kong's tallest peak blanketed in clouds, three masked urban explorers took a step back in time as they climbed through a hole in a wire mesh fence, climbed down a hill and marched towards an abandoned army barracks built during British colonial times, likely used during World War Two.

Twenty years since Britain returned Hong Kong to Chinese rule, these young, alternative conservationists are eager to document the city's remaining historical buildings.

. Hong Kong, China. Reuters/Tyrone Siu

Some structures have been demolished over the decades to make room for development in one of the world's most expensive real estate markets.

Protests in 2007 against the tearing down of Victoria Harbour's Queen's Pier, which for almost half a century marked the ceremonial arrivals of British governors and royals including Queen Elizabeth, is often cited as a starting point for street activism bent on preserving Hong Kong's culture.

. Hong Kong, China. Reuters/Tyrone Siu

For the young explorers in the group, HK URBEX, what started out as a hobby in 2013 has now blossomed into a mission to put together an archive of the city's colonial-era architecture.

The eight members spend weeks and even months researching derelict sites before visiting them and documenting them through photos and film that are posted on their social media page.

. Hong Kong, China. Reuters/Tyrone Siu

They have recorded over 50 sites in Hong Kong alone. Short videos show the members shining their flashlight on the prison gates of a colonial political prison, the pile of dusty movie reels and posters in an empty movie studio, and the rough walls of a former World War Two air raid tunnel.

. Hong Kong, China. Reuters/Tyrone Siu

"I just fear that in maybe 20 years time, there won't be a lot of unique Hong Kong heritage or architecture that really shows that we are Hong Kong, because there's no other place like us," said one of the group's co-founders, who declined to be identified because his activities could involve illegal trespassing.

. Hong Kong, China. Reuters/Tyrone Siu

"And the government, of course, should be more active in preserving these places because in a way, it's also preserving our Hong Kong identity."

Currently 114 buildings and cultural landmarks are protected from development and more than 1,000 buildings are assigned a historic grade by the government’s Antiquities and Monuments Office.

. Hong Kong, China. Reuters/Tyrone Siu

The Commissioner for Heritage's Office said in a written response to Reuters that the government has launched the revitalisation of 19 historic buildings since it first announced its policies on heritage conservation a decade ago.

"Conservation of historic buildings in Hong Kong has gone some way to the point which requires efforts beyond the government," it added.

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