An official at the camp said: “We have to use military-style methods such as total immersion and physical training on these young people. We need to teach them some discipline and help them to establish a regular lifestyle.”

Young people sent to the camp to be treated for their addiction to the internet – in general taking the form of obsessive online gaming – are required to get out of bed at 5am with lights out at exactly 9:30pm. They must undergo two hours of physical training as well as courses in calligraphy, traditional Chinese philosophy and various psychological training.