China Intensifies Pressure on Eswatini as Beijing Orders Citizens to Leave Taiwan’s Last African Ally
China has intensified pressure on Eswatini, Taiwan’s only remaining diplomatic ally in Africa, after Beijing issued a warning urging Chinese nationals living and working in the southern African kingdom to leave the country over what it described as “security risks.”
China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs cited concerns over what it characterised as widespread cyber fraud and criminal activity linked to gambling. However, the ministry did not provide detailed information about specific incidents or threats that prompted the advisory. Chinese nationals in Eswatini were urged to relocate as soon as possible to countries considered comparatively safer, including neighbouring South Africa. Beijing also warned that those who choose to remain in or travel to Eswatini could face “extremely high security risks” and that Chinese authorities might not be able to provide timely assistance in the event of an emergency.
The advisory comes at a particularly sensitive time for relations between China and Eswatini, with authorities in the kingdom conducting a crackdown on alleged illegal online gambling operations while a separate legal dispute involving Chinese nationals has added another layer of tension.
A Dispute That Goes Beyond Security
Although Beijing’s statement focused on security and criminal activity, its timing has drawn attention because of Eswatini’s unique position in the global dispute between China and Taiwan. Eswatini is the only African country that maintains formal diplomatic relations with Taiwan and is among the small number of countries worldwide that continue to recognise Taipei diplomatically.
China considers Taiwan part of its territory and has consistently sought to persuade countries with diplomatic ties to Taipei to recognise Beijing instead. Over the years, Taiwan has lost most of its diplomatic partners, particularly in Africa, leaving Eswatini as its sole official ally on the continent.
The latest Chinese security warning does not explicitly state that Eswatini’s relationship with Taiwan was a factor behind the decision. Nevertheless, the development comes amid increasingly visible friction between Beijing and Mbabane over their opposing diplomatic positions.
Chinese Nationals Caught in Legal Dispute
The situation has also been complicated by a dispute involving dozens of Chinese nationals detained in Eswatini. According to the Times of Eswatini, 40 Chinese nationals have reportedly remained in detention since last month after allegedly being arrested while attempting to leave the country.
The group was initially arrested in March, alongside other foreign nationals, during raids targeting suspected illegal online gambling operations in Mbabane and surrounding areas. Their lawyers subsequently told authorities that the Chinese nationals had pleaded guilty to immigration-related offences and paid fines imposed by the courts.
The group was later released following a High Court order. However, they were allegedly arrested again while attempting to leave Eswatini. Their legal representatives have challenged the re-arrests, arguing that they were unlawful. The lawyers have reportedly demanded E208 million, equivalent to approximately $11.7 million, from the Eswatini government. The Eswatini government has yet to publicly respond to the claims.
The dispute has added further sensitivity to China’s latest warning, particularly because Beijing has a significant interest in the welfare of its citizens abroad and has increasingly highlighted the need to protect Chinese nationals from crime and security threats. It remains unclear exactly how many Chinese citizens currently live, work or operate businesses in Eswatini.
Taiwan Remains at the Centre of the Tension
The latest development is also part of a broader series of diplomatic tensions involving Eswatini, China and Taiwan. Earlier this year, Taiwan accused Beijing of attempting to disrupt Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te’s planned visit to Eswatini by pressuring neighbouring countries to deny or restrict overflight permissions. Lai’s visit had initially been scheduled for April 22–26 to commemorate the 40th anniversary of King Mswati III’s accession to the throne. The planned trip was subsequently cancelled amid reported difficulties surrounding the president’s travel arrangements.
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Lai later travelled to Eswatini in May, although details of the route used to reach the kingdom were not publicly disclosed. Beijing strongly criticised the visit, with China’s foreign ministry denouncing Lai and describing him in particularly disparaging terms.
The confrontation highlighted the strategic importance of Eswatini to Taiwan. With Taipei’s diplomatic presence in Africa having been dramatically reduced over the years, maintaining its relationship with Mbabane has become increasingly significant for Taiwan’s international standing.
For Beijing, meanwhile, Eswatini remains a notable diplomatic holdout on a continent where China has established relations with almost every other country.
Why Eswatini Matters to Beijing and Taipei
Eswatini’s continued recognition of Taiwan gives the small kingdom an importance far beyond its size. For Taiwan, maintaining diplomatic relations with Eswatini provides a formal foothold in Africa and allows Taipei to demonstrate that it still retains international partners despite China’s sustained diplomatic campaign.
For China, convincing Eswatini to switch recognition would further shrink Taiwan’s global diplomatic network and strengthen Beijing’s position in its campaign to isolate Taipei internationally. That makes every major development in China–Eswatini relations potentially significant.
The Chinese government’s latest advisory may therefore be viewed through two lenses: Beijing’s stated concerns about crime and security, and the wider geopolitical contest surrounding Taiwan.
While there is no explicit evidence that China’s decision to advise its citizens to leave Eswatini was directly motivated by the kingdom’s ties with Taiwan, the warning arrives against a backdrop of growing diplomatic friction and unresolved disputes involving Chinese nationals.
Another Potential Flashpoint
The combination of an alleged crackdown on illegal gambling, the detention of Chinese nationals, a multimillion-dollar legal claim against the Eswatini government and renewed tensions over Taiwan has created an increasingly complicated relationship between Mbabane and Beijing.
China has framed its latest action primarily as a precautionary measure intended to protect its citizens. Yet because Eswatini occupies such a unique position in the Taiwan-China diplomatic contest, the move is likely to attract close international attention. For now, it remains unclear whether the advisory will lead to a significant departure of Chinese nationals from Eswatini or whether it will trigger further diplomatic engagement between the two governments.
What is clear is that Eswatini’s relationship with Taiwan continues to carry consequences far beyond its borders. As Beijing seeks to expand its diplomatic influence and Taipei works to preserve its remaining international partnerships, the small southern African kingdom has found itself at the centre of a much larger geopolitical contest.
