China Tells Citizens to Leave Taiwan-Allied Eswatini

By Echos News ZA Editorial Team
Published: Aug 31, 2026

BEIJING – China’s foreign ministry has called on its citizens and institutions to evacuate Eswatini, warning of rampant cybercrime and gambling-related fraud in the small southern African kingdom. The advisory, issued late Tuesday, described the security situation as “complex” and urged relocation to safer areas such as South Africa.

Beijing cites cybercrime and safety risks

The Department of Consular Affairs in Beijing said Chinese nationals who remain in Eswatini face “extremely high security risks” and may struggle to receive timely consular assistance. Officials pointed to recent arrests of foreign nationals, including Chinese citizens, in connection with illegal online gambling and fraud networks. The ministry’s statement was circulated on WeChat, stressing that those who insist on staying do so at their own risk.

China has previously issued similar advisories for countries experiencing unrest, but the timing of this warning drew attention. Eswatini, formerly Swaziland, is one of just 12 nations worldwide that still recognize Taiwan diplomatically. Beijing claims Taiwan as part of its territory and has pressured countries to sever ties with Taipei.

Eswatini rejects claims of insecurity

The Eswatini government dismissed China’s warning as “unsupported” and “regrettable.” Acting government spokeswoman Thabile Mdluli said the advisory misrepresented the country’s security situation. Authorities argued that recent arrests of foreign nationals demonstrated law enforcement vigilance rather than a breakdown of public safety.

“Far from demonstrating a failure of public security, it affirms the effectiveness of the Kingdom’s law-enforcement institutions,” the government said in a statement. Officials added that Eswatini “will not be coerced, disadvantaged or destabilised” over its diplomatic choices. The country, with a population of about 1.2 million, has long resisted Beijing’s efforts to cut ties with Taiwan.

Taiwan accuses Beijing of intimidation

Taiwan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs condemned China’s move, describing it as a deliberate attempt to undermine Eswatini’s friendship with Taipei. President Lai Ching-te visited the kingdom in May, with Taipei accusing Beijing of trying to block the trip by pressuring nearby countries to revoke overflight permits. Taiwan urged the international community to recognize what it called “China’s authoritarian intimidation.”

Eswatini remains Taiwan’s last ally in Africa after Beijing successfully persuaded other nations to switch recognition in recent years. Analysts note that while cybercrime is a growing issue in Eswatini, the country is generally safer than neighboring South Africa, which has one of the world’s highest murder rates. The advisory, therefore, is seen by many observers as politically charged rather than purely security-driven.

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Source: Africanews |

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