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.
