(Note: The following is (I hope) a fantasy piece. If the following actually happens ...)
Express Rail Link Hong Kong terminal, late-2018. Two friends, Alan and Ben, are waiting on the platform to board the high speed train to Guangzhou.
"I am so excited. We can finally ride the train in person," Ben yelled enthusiastically.
Alan also finds it difficult to contain his excitement. "I know. We will be in Guangzhou in less than an hour. It's great."
"And we don't have to go through immigration after we get there. We are already in mainland Chinese territory."
"Wait a minute. Aren't we still in Hong Kong? West Kowloon is directly above us and my phone signal is still covered in the Hong Kong network."
"We are still in Hong Kong territory, but Chinese law is enforced where we are standing. Anyways, let's take a selfie and post it in Facebook." He snapped pictures with his phone.
"What's wrong?"
"I can't log on. I posted just before we entered terminal."
"Let me try." A few seconds passed before they see their picture being posted. "Have you switched to the mainland network already?"
"I thought we can't assess the Hong Kong network once we enter the station. So I switched SIM cards."
"We can still access the Hong Kong mobile network before crossing the (Shenzhen) river."
At this moment the train arrives, the two board the train and take their seats.
"What day is it today?" Ben asks. "I believe it is Carl's birthday." (Carl is a mutual friend of theirs.)
"You are right. I will send him a message through Whatsapp..." As he speaks, Ben hits the candle icon and sends the message, but the message disappears. "Why can't I send the birthday cake icon?"
"Don't tell me the candle icon is still being blocked. Wait a minute. Today's the anniversary of LXB receiving that prize."
"LXB? You mean the man who died in prison?" Ben makes the shush gesture as Alan finishes the sentence.
"You can't mention his name, his initials or the prize he won. You know that we are now in Chinese territory right?"
"Okay." Ben realizes that he should change the subject. "Isn't today the anniversary of Debbie and Edwin?"
"We should send them a message congratulating them."
"I can't believe ten years have passed. How time flies."
"Did you just say ten years? That's another banned word."
"Oh right. I forgot about it. That film is pure fantasy. Scenes from that film will never happen in real life."
As Ben finishes the sentence a family take their seats. Alan notices the children are wearing T-shirts bearing Disney characters.
"Oh no! Troublemaker on board."
"Those kids? They look energetic and nothing more."
"One of them is wearing a Winnie the Pooh T-shirt. You know the character is sometimes used to describe the Leader."
"I didn't know that."
The family is opening a pack of buns. One of them is heard saying "bao zhi hen hao chi" (The phrase is Mandarin for "the buns are tasty".)
Alan begins to sweat. "We are in trouble. They just said bao zhi. It is another banned codeword for the Leader."
"You are getting paranoid. We have done nothing wrong. The authorities won't go after us."
"You are right. I worry too much. I should enjoy this trip." The train begins to leave the station. "By the way, have you read that weibo message Carl sent you."
"Of course. It is so interesting I have to share it with other friends on weibo. Look at the counter. It's already been read 5000 times and resent 500 times."
"Did you say it's been read 5000 times and resent 500 times?"
"Something's wrong?"
"Oh dear. We can be accused of slander and spreading rumours."
The two stops chatting and finds out that a man sitting opposite of them is holding his phone at eye level, apparently taking a selfie. Alan looks at the screen and realizes that they are being filmed.
"Are you filming us? I demand you to delete the clip."
"Uh ... sure." He stops filming and deletes the video under their watch.
Alan becomes forceful and says "if I see you filming again. I will report you at the next stop." The man then gets out of his seat and moves to the next compartment.
After the film taker disappears from their sight, Ben begins to speak. "I can't believe this. Filming someone without asking for permission first. We haven't done anything wrong."
Alan remains on edge. "He's not the only one filming us. Look around you. I'm sure there are CCTVs in this train."
"Are you sure? I can't see them."
"Not only that. You know we had to scan our ID at the ticket machine when we bought our ticket. 'They' know where each of us is sitting."
"So ..."
"This means authorities know who is doing what at all times during the journey. Remember, the train compartment is also Chinese territory."
"Come on. They can't monitor everyone."
"I hope this is true, but I don't know if everyone on board are actual passengers."
Their conversation is interrupted by the PA speaker. "We are now arriving at Futian Station." (Futian, Shenzhen is the first stop along the high-speed rail route between Hong Kong and Guangzhou.)
Ben realizes Alan is getting more nervous and tries to calm him down. "If you are so scared, maybe we can get off the train at the next stop."
"Sure. I don't want to stay in this train any longer."
The train comes to a stop and the doors open. The two leave the train and walk up the stairs. Only to see that there is a giant passage, at least 100m long, between them and the exit.
Alan's legs are trembling. "I heard this is where the immigration checkpoints are supposed to be, until the government scrapped the plan and insisted on having Chinese officials stationed at the Hong Kong terminal. Besides, who knows how many officers are behind those doors."
By now, Ben is starting to have the same feelings as Alan. "You want to get back on the train?" He tries to hide his anxiety while he speaks.
"Do you even need to ask?" The two dash back toward the platform. As they run down the stairs, the words "train doors are closing" are broadcasted on the speakers. The two get back onto the train right before the door begins to close.
Ben tries to remain calm, but his expression betrays him. "The terminus is a major hub. We should have a easier time blending into the crowd there."
"I hope you are right."
As the train leaves the station, "the train better be as fast as advertised" is the only thought in their minds.