You got mugged several times? What were you doing to bring on that kind of trouble? I’ve been living in Hong Kong for 15 years and have never had any problems at all, even walking the streets of Mongkok after midnight. While it’s true there is a lot of organized crime, on a personal level it’s a lot safer here than most large North American or European cities. Other than that, I agree, the article is a load of hogwash. Press freedom is a joke and has been getting steadily worse as any journalist here will tell you off the record.
In answer to your question, I'm a Mormon and I was in Hong Kong as a missionary from 2000-2002.
One factor is that a couple of my areas were far from touristy. I served in five different places (missionaries are often transferred), including Tai Wai, Shau Kei Wan, Tin Shui Wai, Cheung Sha Wan, and Sham Shui Po. I don't know if you have ventured to Shau Kei Wan, Cheung Sha Wan, or Sham Shui Po before, but I wouldn't recommend it.
I originally thought that our particularly long periods of in-your-face street exposure made us more vulnerable, but the most violent mugging occurred when I was in plainclothes; it was the weekly holiday. While I was walking with my companion in Prince Edward, a man punched me in the face and stole my sunglasses.
Another time, I had my camera stolen by a bagslasher in Shau Kei Wan, and another missionary I know was playing basketball with some young boys in Kwun Tong when a gang started roughing up the team. The missionary (Roper by name) tried to intercede, and a gang member slashed a switchblade at his chest, just grazing his skin.
Another sister missionary was tracting when she was chopped with a meatcleaver and had to be hospitalized.
I used to think this was common in all missions, but some friends who served in the USA (including the Bronx and south Chicago) had no problems whatsoever, and neither did a friend who served in Chile.
Coincidence? Maybe. But I always smell a rat whenever the HK authorities brag about the stellar crime statistics. A Mormon policeman in HK also told me to be particularly careful due to my innocent "boy-next-door" countenance (check my profile).
I used to be an incredibly naive individual; two years of this brought an end to that. After unintentionally meeting with a few triad members who gloated about past murders, I "lost" their phone numbers and steered clear of their turf.
I'm sorry to have rambled so long; I meant for this to only be a short post. Needless to say, life as a missionary in HK (as opposed to the USA or Latin America) is extremely difficult. Hong Kongers treat us rudely, and the Brits act like we are bits of street trash in their presence. If you encounter the Elders in HK, at least give them a smile and a howdy; it'll make their day.
Okay. Sermon's over. Thanks for listening.
No chip on the shoulder here...
I should have asked about you. What is your job in HK? Are you enjoying your time there?
It should be 1:00 in the afternoon there, if I'm not mistaken. Be sure to relax and take a breath every once in awhile; the pace of life in HK is pretty overwhelming.
In the midst of my tirade I forgot my manners. Take care of yourself and your family, if they're with you.
-Shaun