In brief
China’s foreign ministry issued a warning to its citizens in Eswatini, citing rampant cyber fraud and gambling crimes that pose “security risks.” Detained Chinese nationals in the tiny African kingdom triggered a diplomatic rift, as Eswatini is the only African country with diplomatic ties to Taiwan. The caution follows President Lai Ching‑te’s unexpected visit in May and Beijing’s broader pressure on African nations to cut ties with Taiwan. China also lifted tariffs on all African nations except Eswatini, raising questions about its economic strategy in the region.
The Chinese foreign ministry has advised its nationals in Eswatini—an isolated southern African kingdom—to leave the country as soon as possible, citing “security risks” linked to widespread cyber fraud and criminal gambling operations.
The advisory comes after a Kenyan lawyer’s report saying 40 Chinese nationals were detained last month while trying to depart following a raid on alleged illegal online gambling centers in Mbabane, the capital. The men had earlier pleaded guilty to immigration breaches, paid court fines, and were supposedly released by a high court – only to face re‑arrest, a move the lawyers called unlawful.
Eswatini is the only African country that maintains diplomatic ties with Taiwan, a key point in China’s long‑standing campaign to persuade nations to sever such relationships. In April, Taiwan’s President Lai Ching‑te’s planned trip to Eswatini was thwarted when several close‑by states revoked overflight permits, a development Beijing reportedly exploited to pressure the tiny kingdom.
Despite the diplomatic flurry, Lai managed to reach Eswatini in May, allegedly by an unpublicised route. Beijing’s foreign ministry followed up by calling the visit “an international laughing stock” and urged that any Chinese staying in Eswatini would face “extremely high security risks” and limited assistance.
China’s recent removal of all tariffs for African states—except Eswatini—adds another layer to the geopolitical chessboard, underscoring Beijing’s selective engagement with countries that uphold its claim to Taiwan.
How many Chinese citizens currently work or reside in Eswatini remains unclear, but the country’s restrictive response indicates Beijing’s tightening grip over its overseas nationals.
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