In brief
China’s foreign ministry has issued a warning urging citizens to depart Eswatini, citing widespread cyber fraud and gambling‑related crimes as security risks. The advisory recommends relocation to safer neighboring country South Africa. This comes after a crackdown on illegal online gambling players, including 40 detained Chinese nationals who were later released by a High Court order. Eswatini remains the only African nation with diplomatic ties to Taiwan, a fact that has intensified Beijing’s pressure on allies. The diplomatic spat spilled over into the recent cancellation of a Taiwan president’s trip to Eswatini amid regional flight‑permit revocations. China’s stance underscores its long‑standing campaign against countries recognising Taiwan, and its overall influence on the African continent’s foreign policy.
China has advised its nationals to leave the southern African kingdom of Eswatini, citing "security risks" linked to rampant cyber fraud and gambling‑related crimes.
The Ministry’s broadcast not only warned of potential danger but also suggested resettlement to what it described as relatively safer neighboring South Africa.
Eswatini is the sole African country with diplomatic relations with Taiwan—a point China repeatedly uses to pressure allies to cut ties.
In late March, authorities raided alleged illegal online gambling centres in Mbabane, detaining dozens of foreign nationals, including forty Chinese citizens. They later pleaded guilty to immigration offences and paid court fines.
Following a High Court order that freed the detainees, a subsequent re‑arrest was declared unlawful by their lawyers who cited the court’s decision and the fact that the citizens had already served their penalties.
The Eswatini government has yet to comment on the situation or the level of Chinese expatriates residing in the country.
China warned that citizens who insist on staying or travelling to Eswatini could face "extremely high security risks," with assistance potentially delayed.
The advisory follows a broader pattern of China urging countries to sever official recognition of Taiwan, a stance taken since the early 2000s.
Last year, Taiwan’s President Lai Ching‑te faced setbacks when several African nations revoked overflight permits, prompting criticism from Beijing that it was attempting to sabotage the visit. The trip was cancelled and later re‑scheduled for May, with Taiwan’s diplomatic channel handling a silent arrival in Eswatini.
In a sharp rebuke, Beijing’s foreign ministry labeled Lai as a "laughing stock" after the trip, while also announcing the retention of tariffs for Eswatini after sweeping discounts on other African markets.
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