The Xinjiang Data Project by the Australian Strategic Policy Institute (ASPI) gathers empirical research on human rights issues in Xinjiang. On their map, you can browse satellite imagery of suspected detention centers, and destructed mosques and cultural sites.

This **Global Times article** tries to show that the detention centers claimed by ASPI are actually regular facilities. They try to do this in two dishonest ways:

1. They try to show the first three facilities are not detention centers by shifting the coordinates a few hundred meters to show another completely different building.
2. They cherry pick the tier 1 detention centers which are repurposed school-type facilities, without even touching the tier 3 and 4 (heavily secured) facilities.

Claim #1

<aside> ❔ The “detention center” (geographic coordinates: 38.8367N, 77.7056E) claimed by ASPI, is actually a gerocomium in Markit county, Kashi Prefecture, Xinjiang

</aside>

Reality

• The coordinates shown on Global Times are way off. Thanks to antdavisonNZ for this one.

  • The picture shown by Global Times. Not the right coordinates.

    

  • The actual detention center.

    

Claim #2

<aside> ❔ The "detention center" (geographic coordinates: 38.9950N, 77.6682E) claimed by ASPI, is actually an elementary school in Yantaq township, Markit county, Kashi Prefecture, Xinjiang

</aside>

Reality

• The actual coordinates as shown on ASPI are **38.995128N, 77.665055E,** which is to the west of GT's picture**.**

  

Claim #3

<aside> ❔ The “detention center” (geographic coordinates: 39.8252N, 78.5501E) claimed by ASPI, is actually a logistics park in Bachu county, Kashi Prefecture, Xinjiang

</aside>

Reality

• The actual coordinates as shown on ASPI are 39.82520748, 78.5501632, which is to the south-east of GT's picture**.**

  • Very convenient how the detention center is so close to an industrial area. The detainees will certainly never get bored!

  

Claim #4

<aside> ❔ The “detention center” (geographic coordinates: 38.9046N, 77.6153E) claimed by ASPI, is actually a middle school in Markit county, Kashi Prefecture, Xinjiang

</aside>

Reality

• 🎉 Congratulations to Global Times. This is the only mistake they got right. Mekit Facility #4 cannot be found on ASPI's map anymore, but I could find it on the Internet Archive. The coordinates and layout of this building match those on Global Times.