China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has issued an urgent security advisory urging its citizens and businesses to leave Eswatini or relocate to neighboring countries such as South Africa, citing heightened risks from telecommunications fraud, online gambling syndicates, and broader public security concerns. Beijing also warned that, because it does not maintain formal diplomatic relations with Eswatini, its ability to provide consular assistance to citizens who remain in the country could be significantly limited.
Eswatini, formerly known as Swaziland until 2018, is a small, landlocked kingdom in Southern Africa, bordered by South Africa on three sides and Mozambique to the northeast. It is Africa's last absolute monarchy and the continent's only country that maintains formal diplomatic relations with Taiwan.
Eswatini has strongly rejected the advisory, insisting that the country remains safe and secure. Authorities argued that recent law enforcement operations—including the arrest of about 200 foreign nationals, among them dozens of Chinese citizens allegedly linked to cyber fraud—reflect an active crackdown on criminal networks rather than a deterioration of public security.
The advisory comes amid heightened geopolitical tensions. Eswatini is Taiwan’s only remaining formal diplomatic ally in Africa and one of just 12 countries worldwide that officially recognize Taipei. The warning follows Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te’s recent visit to the kingdom, against the backdrop of Beijing’s continued efforts to diplomatically isolate Taiwan by persuading its remaining allies to switch recognition to China.