African street sex workers spotted soliciting in Mandarin on Temple Street

Jordan’s Temple Street has recently seen a rise in foreign street sex workers, with several young African women reportedly soliciting clients in Mandarin for as little as HK$250, according to Sing Tao, a sister publication of The Standard.

Sing Tao reported that the women stood out among other street workers due to their darker skin tones and distinctive hairstyles. One woman, who identified herself as Sophia and said she was from East Africa, quoted HK$250 per transaction, with an additional HK$50 for use of shower facilities.

Sophia claimed it was her first time in Hong Kong and said she had previously worked in Singapore, India, and mainland Chinese cities, including Shanghai and Guangzhou, as well as Macau. She said most of her clients were Chinese and described the reception from customers as positive.

According to sources, the number of African street sex workers in the area has increased over the past two months, with four to five women reportedly appearing on the street each day. While police patrol the area regularly, the women were said to leave when officers approached and return once patrols had passed. Some were observed posing as tourists to avoid detection.

Yau Tsim Mong district councilor Chan Siu-tong said law enforcement faces challenges in dealing with foreign sex workers, some of whom may have entered Hong Kong on tourist visas or applied for asylum. He suggested that deploying parked police vehicles in the area could help deter illegal activity.

Hong Kong Police told Sing Tao that from January to mid-November, Yau Ma Tei district officers carried out 18 anti-prostitution operations, arresting 189 people, including four non-local individuals. Police said they remain committed to curbing illegal prostitution and minimizing its impact on residents.