American Married to China Citizen

My Chinese wife and stepdaughter are living in Beijing. My current visa is type F and is now being extended as it would have expired at the end of August. I also read that I cannot work if I get a residence permit as a family member. I am trying to avoid returning to the states just to renew my F. I do work as a consultant to a US/China JV. Can I just go to HK and get a renewed 1 year F? How long does it take?