In brief
China’s foreign ministry has warned its citizens to leave Eswatini, citing rampant cyber fraud and gambling‑related crimes as major security risks. The advice urges Chinese expatriates to relocate, with South Africa listed as a safer alternative. Eswatini is the sole African country maintaining diplomatic ties with Taiwan, a point that has strained relations with Beijing. The advisory coincides with reports that 40 Chinese nationals were recently detained after attempting to leave the country and subsequently released by court orders, raising questions about the safety of expats. This move underscores China’s ongoing pressure on African states to sever ties with Taiwan and highlights the broader geopolitical tensions surrounding the region.
China’s foreign ministry has issued a formal advisory to its nationals in Eswatini, the southern African kingdom, urging them to leave due to “extremely high security risks.”
The instruction cites the rise of cyber fraud and gambling‑related crimes as the primary concerns, though it stops short of explaining the details behind the risks. Authorities recommend relocation to “relatively safer” countries, especially neighbouring South Africa.
Eswatini is unique in Africa for maintaining diplomatic relations with Taiwan—a claim China considers illegitimate. This fact has repeatedly escalated tensions between Beijing and Taipei, with the latter’s president, Lai Ching‑te, visiting Eswatini in May despite criticism from the Chinese government.
The advisory follows reports that 40 Chinese nationals were detained last month after attempting to leave the country. According to the privately‑owned Times of Eswatini, the group was first arrested in March during raids on alleged illegal online gambling centres across Mbabane, then released by a court order, only to be re‑arrested allegedly unlawfully.
While Eswatini’s government has yet to comment on the situation, the Chinese foreign ministry warned that citizens who choose to stay or travel to the country may encounter “extremely high security risks” and that aid timeliness could be affected.
The move reflects Beijing’s long‑standing strategy to pressure African states to sever ties with Taiwan, as seen earlier this year when China removed tariffs from all African countries except Eswatini. It also follows a period of diplomatic friction sparked by Taiwan’s leader’s cancelled trip to Eswatini in April after several African states revoked airline overflight permits.
