What can happen to you:
A Canadian Model was murdered in China not so long ago.
Please read that first, if the link is dead, read the following quote:
A trial began Monday in China for the 18-year-old Chinese man accused of murdering B.C. model Diana O’Brien in Shanghai in July.
China’s official Xinhua news agency reported that the hearing for the accused, Chen Jun, lasted about two hours.
“So far, no sentence has been issued,” the agency said.
The No. 1 Intermediate People’s Court of Shanghai described Chen as a native of nearby Anhui province, who earned a monthly wage of about 1,000 yuan — equivalent to about $180 Cdn — at a restaurant in Shanghai.
Prosecutors said he ran out of money after quitting his job.
Chen has confessed that he followed Obrien to her apartment in Shanghai on the night of July 6. O’Brien was said to have resisted when Chen asked for money, and the accused allegedly stabbed her to death, according to Xinhua.
Her body was found the next day in the building where she lived. O’Brien, 22, was from Saltspring Island, B.C. She entered China on June 24 and worked for Shanghai-based JH Model Agency, Xinhua said.
This is a warning to all those who want/are coming to this country to work/live. Be careful.
It’s impossible to just brush off the entire country or entire sections of this country as safe or unsafe. That’s a pointless and fruitless task. I used to think at least Major cities like Beijing and Shanghai would be relatively safe too. Don’t let your guard down. You are staying at a foreign country, where you may or may not know people or speak any of the local languages to be an effective communicator, so it “pays” to pay attention to what you are doing and your surroundings.
And don’t let down your guard just because you started to get used to the neighbourhood, speak a few words and know a few people. It’s easy to develop a false sense of security, so never treat it as if it’s like home unless you are from a rough neighbourhood or a big metropolitan cities with large gangs.
Same precaution should always apply:
- Lock your doors and windows. If you need ventilation, go find a higher floor or find a place with AC.
- Keep back up copies of all your important documents, passports, licenses, etc.
- Pay attention to your wallet or purse.
- Money belt is one solution, but if you are staying long term, it could get very uncomfortable.
- If you must wear pants with those sliding/side opened pockets, don’t put anything important in them.
- If you have a cellphone, PAY ATTENTION TO IT!!!
- Always, Always make sure you got EVERYTHING before you leave an area or vehicle.
- Cameras and necklaces’ straps/chains should be reinforced, if it can be cut, it’s gone.
- This is for the ladies, if you really want to go out late at night, bring a male or 2 female friends. Bus/Subway is probably better than taxi, but taxi is better than walking home or getting into a stranger’s car.
- If possible, get a roommate from your home country or someone who understands English well and can be count on to bail you out.
These are just some of the simple everyday motherings (like it’s getting cold, wear a jacket thing) that you should keep in mind.
Have fun, but keep safe, please. One tragedy is quite enough.
