The historic Red House in Hong Kong’s far northeastern township of Tuen Mun – the site of ceremonies to mark the Oct. 10 national day of the anti-communist Republic of China – has been vandalized.

Five commemorative plates at the building with ties to the “national father” Sun Yat-sen were spray-painted in blue, while poles used to raise the Republic of China flags were removed. Blue became associated with pro-government loyalists opposed to “yellow” pro-democracy forces in last year’s protests; the Republic of China was the name still used by Chiang Kai-shek’s losing side in the Chinese civil war when they retreated to Taiwan in 1949.

The Tuen Mun house was used for celebrations of the Republic of China’s anniversary on Oct. 10 every year as it was said to be one of Sun’s bases where he planned his overthrow of the Qing dynasty. Such activities have become more difficult after the house was bought by a man with alleged mainland ties in 2017.

Recently, residents of the nearby area found that five commemorative plates had been spray-painted in blue, including those that talked about the history of Sun, the house and the revolution. Poles for raising the Republic of China flags next to a copper bust of Sun were also removed.

Yuen Long District Council Vice Chair Johnny Mak, who has been following up with issues surrounding the Red House, told Apple Daily that he believed the damage could only be done with the approval of the owner, adding that he feared that the Republic of China flag may not fly there again. Outsiders cannot do much to stop the damage, Mak said.

The message on one of the plates was written in 1996 by Taiwan’s top representative in Hong Kong Cheng An-kuo. The damage appeared to reflect that those in power did not want Hong Kong and Taiwan to have any ties anymore, Mak said. Some wanted the republic to be forgotten, Mak said.

The Red House was almost destroyed entirely after the new owner purchased the property. The authorities listed the house as a temporary heritage site after protests from members of the public and the owner promised not to tear it down.

On Oct. 10 this year, the owner hired security guards to stop anyone conducting celebratory events, placing thorny plants to block people from gathering near the flag poles. Police officers were also seen at the site, recording those who did come.

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