China advises its citizens to leave Taiwan ally Eswatini over 'security risks'

China Issues Travel Advisory for Eswatini

China's foreign ministry has advised Chinese citizens to leave the southern African kingdom of Eswatini, citing "security risks" in the country. The advisory, issued on Tuesday, pointed to "rampant cyber fraud and criminal activities associated with gambling" as among the concerns, without providing further details.

The ministry suggested that Chinese nationals relocate as soon as possible to "relatively safer" countries, such as neighbouring South Africa. It warned that those who insist on travelling to or remaining in Eswatini would face "extremely high security risks, and the timeliness of assistance may be affected."

The advisory comes amid heightened tensions between China and Taiwan over diplomatic recognition. Eswatini is one of only 12 countries, and the only one in Africa, that maintains formal diplomatic relations with Taiwan, which China claims as part of its territory.

Detention of Chinese Nationals

The advisory follows reports from the privately owned Times of Eswatini news site that 40 Chinese nationals have been detained in the country since last month after being arrested while trying to leave. According to the news site, the group was initially arrested in March during raids on alleged illegal online gambling centres in Mbabane, the capital, and surrounding areas, along with dozens of other foreign nationals.

The lawyers representing the Chinese nationals wrote to the attorney general and the home affairs ministry, stating that their clients had pleaded guilty to immigration-related offences and paid fines imposed by the courts. The lawyers said the 40 were released on the orders of the High Court, and that their subsequent re-arrest was unlawful.

The Eswatini government has not yet commented on the detentions, but a commerce ministry source said there were more than 200 Chinese nationals in the country, working in textiles, retail, and restaurants. Eswatini authorities have arrested at least 55 Chinese citizens this year in a crackdown on an alleged online gambling, extortion, and cyber-fraud network.

Diplomatic Context

The advisory is seen in the context of China's long-standing efforts to pressure countries to sever diplomatic ties with Taiwan. In April, Taiwan accused Beijing of trying to derail a planned visit to Eswatini by President Lai Ching-te by pressuring nearby countries to revoke overflight permits. The trip, originally scheduled for 22-26 April to mark the 40th anniversary of King Mswati III's accession, was cancelled following the development. Lai eventually travelled to Eswatini in May, without saying how he reached the country.

Earlier this year, China extended a zero-tariff policy to all African countries except Eswatini, a move widely seen as a punitive measure for its recognition of Taiwan.

Eswatini's Response

In response to China's advisory, the Eswatini government said on Wednesday that it "will not be coerced, disadvantaged or destabilised" over its foreign policy choices. It called China's security claim "unsupported" and "regrettable."

The government's statement did not directly address the detention of Chinese nationals, but affirmed the country's sovereign right to determine its own diplomatic relations.