Business Insider

China steps up pressure on Taiwans last African ally as Beijing orders citizens out of Eswatini

BBC News

Chinese-Eswatini relations: China advises its citizens to leave Taiwan ally over security risks

Chinadaily

China vows to protect citizens after issuing travel alert on Eswatini

The Korea Times

China tells citizens to leave Taiwan-allied Eswatini

China Global South Project

China Tells Citizens to Leave Taiwan-Allied Eswatini

Kurdistan24

China Warns Citizens to Leave Eswatini as aiwan Confirms Pacific Forum Attendance

Bastille Global

China issues security alert to ensure safety of Chinese citizens in Eswatini: spokesman

The Washington Examiner

China's staggering influence over African nations on display in Eswatini

Independent

China scraps tariffs for all but one African nation  heres why

Arise News

China Scraps Tariffs For African Countries But Excludes Eswatini Over Taiwan Ties  Arise News

Global Times

Eswatini currently has extremely high public security risks; security alert is to ensure safety of Chinese citizens: FM spokesperson

Times of Eswatini

Eswatini govt rejects Chinas travel advisory

Metaculus

Questions

EswatiniGovern1

AfricaViewFacts

China Attacksblockades Taiwan In 2026

China's foreign ministry issued a security alert urging its citizens to leave Eswatini, citing "rampant cyber fraud and online gambling criminal activities." The advisory warned that those who remain would face "extremely high security risks" and that consular assistance could be delayed.

Africa View Facts

China's foreign ministry issued a security alert urging its citizens to leave Eswatini, citing "rampant cyber fraud and online gambling criminal activities." The advisory warned that those who remain would face "extremely high security risks" and that consular assistance could be delayed.

The advisory comes as Eswatini authorities arrested around 200 foreign nationals, including at least 55 Chinese citizens, in a crackdown on illegal online gambling, extortion and cyber fraud. Forty Chinese nationals remained detained after being re-arrested while trying to leave Eswatini following a High Court release order.

The advisory comes as Eswatini authorities arrested around 200 foreign nationals, including at least 55 Chinese citizens, in a crackdown on illegal online gambling, extortion and cyber fraud. Forty Chinese nationals remained detained after being re-arrested while trying to leave Eswatini following a High Court release order.

Eswatini's government rejected China's advisory as "unsupported" and "regrettable," saying the recent operation involving foreign nationals showed its agencies were effective, not that security had broken down. It said Eswatini would not be "coerced, disadvantaged" or destabilized over its foreign policy choices.

Eswatini Government

Eswatini's government rejected China's advisory as "unsupported" and "regrettable," saying the recent operation involving foreign nationals showed its agencies were effective, not that security had broken down. It said Eswatini would not be "coerced, disadvantaged" or destabilized over its foreign policy choices.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian said the security alert was issued "after prudent assessment" and that issuing such advisories is standard international practice. A commerce ministry source said more than 200 Chinese nationals were working in Eswatini in sectors including textiles, retail and restaurants.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian said the security alert was issued "after prudent assessment" and that issuing such advisories is standard international practice. A commerce ministry source said more than 200 Chinese nationals were working in Eswatini in sectors including textiles, retail and restaurants.

Eswatini is one of just 12 countries worldwide that maintain diplomatic relations with Taiwan and the only one in Africa to do so. Other countries have switched diplomatic recognition from Taiwan to China, and, on May 1, Beijing extended its zero-tariff policy to all African countries except Eswatini.

Eswatini is one of just 12 countries worldwide that maintain diplomatic relations with Taiwan and the only one in Africa to do so. Other countries have switched diplomatic recognition from Taiwan to China, and, on May 1, Beijing extended its zero-tariff policy to all African countries except Eswatini.

Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te's planned April visit to Eswatini was cancelled after Seychelles, Mauritius and Madagascar revoked overflight permits. Taiwan accused Beijing of pressuring them; <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.improvethenews.org/story/2026/taiwans-lai-visits-eswatini-amid-chinas-pressure">Lai eventually traveled to Eswatini in May</a> without disclosing his route.

Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te's planned April visit to Eswatini was cancelled after Seychelles, Mauritius and Madagascar revoked overflight permits. Taiwan accused Beijing of pressuring them; Lai eventually traveled to Eswatini in May without disclosing his route.

Business Insider #

BBC News #

Chinadaily #

The Korea Times #

China Global South Project #

Kurdistan24 #

Bastille Global #

The Washington Examiner #

Independent #

Arise News #

Global Times #

Times of Eswatini #

Metaculus #

Eswatini's government rejected China's advisory as "unsupported" and "regrettable," saying the recent law-enforcement operation involving foreign nationals demonstrated the effectiveness of its agencies, not a breakdown in public security. The government said it would not be "coerced, disadvantaged or destabilised" over its foreign policy choices.

Eswatini's government rejected China's advisory as "unsupported" and "regrettable," saying the recent law-enforcement operation involving foreign nationals demonstrated the effectiveness of its agencies, not a breakdown in public security. The government said it would not be "coerced, disadvantaged or destabilised" over its foreign policy choices.

Eswatini is one of 12 countries that maintain diplomatic relations with Taiwan and the only one in Africa to do so. China has persuaded other nations to sever ties with Taiwan and, on May 1, extended a zero-tariff policy to all African countries except Eswatini.

Eswatini is one of 12 countries that maintain diplomatic relations with Taiwan and the only one in Africa to do so. China has persuaded other nations to sever ties with Taiwan and, on May 1, extended a zero-tariff policy to all African countries except Eswatini.

Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te's planned visit to Eswatini in April was cancelled after Seychelles, Mauritius and Madagascar revoked overflight permits for his aircraft. Taiwan accused Beijing of pressuring those countries to withdraw access; Lai eventually traveled to Eswatini in May without disclosing how he reached the country.

Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te's planned visit to Eswatini in April was cancelled after Seychelles, Mauritius and Madagascar revoked overflight permits for his aircraft. Taiwan accused Beijing of pressuring those countries to withdraw access; Lai eventually traveled to Eswatini in May without disclosing how he reached the country.

Eswatini authorities arrested around 200 foreign nationals, including at least 55 Chinese citizens, in a crackdown on alleged illegal online gambling, extortion and cyber fraud. Forty Chinese nationals remained in detention after being re-arrested while attempting to leave the country following a High Court order for their release.

Eswatini authorities arrested around 200 foreign nationals, including at least 55 Chinese citizens, in a crackdown on alleged illegal online gambling, extortion and cyber fraud. Forty Chinese nationals remained in detention after being re-arrested while attempting to leave the country following a High Court order for their release.

China is using economic leverage to bully African nations into blocking Taiwan's basic diplomatic functions, turning routine airspace management into a political weapon. Beijing's praise for Mauritius, Madagascar and Seychelles blocking Taiwan's presidential travel exposes the coercion behind the curtain. Eswatini's exclusion from China's zero-tariff Africa policy makes plain that Beijing punishes sovereignty rather than respecting it.

China is using economic leverage to bully African nations into blocking Taiwan's basic diplomatic functions, turning routine airspace management into a political weapon. Beijing's praise for Mauritius, Madagascar and Seychelles blocking Taiwan's presidential travel exposes the coercion behind the curtain. Eswatini's exclusion from China's zero-tariff Africa policy makes plain that Beijing punishes sovereignty rather than respecting it.

China's travel advisory for Eswatini is a straightforward safety measure driven by rampant telecom fraud and illegal online gambling — the same kind of consular guidance governments routinely issue worldwide. Dozens of Chinese nationals were arrested during crackdowns on alleged illegal gambling operations, creating genuine legal jeopardy for citizens who remain. Framing a standard safety alert as geopolitical pressure ignores the documented criminal risks on the ground.

China's travel advisory for Eswatini is a straightforward safety measure driven by rampant telecom fraud and illegal online gambling — the same kind of consular guidance governments routinely issue worldwide. Dozens of Chinese nationals were arrested during crackdowns on alleged illegal gambling operations, creating genuine legal jeopardy for citizens who remain. Framing a standard safety alert as geopolitical pressure ignores the documented criminal risks on the ground.

China steps up pressure on Taiwan’s last African ally as Beijing orders citizens out of Eswatini

China

Eswatini

Asia

Africa

China is using economic leverage to bully African nations into blocking Taiwan's basic diplomatic functions, turning routine airspace management into a political weapon. Beijing's praise for Mauritius, Madagascar and Seychelles for blocking Taiwan's presidential travel exposes the coercion behind the curtain. Eswatini's exclusion from China's zero-tariff Africa policy shows Beijing punishes countries for asserting their sovereignty rather than respecting their diplomatic choices.

China is using economic leverage to bully African nations into blocking Taiwan's basic diplomatic functions, turning routine airspace management into a political weapon. Beijing's praise for Mauritius, Madagascar and Seychelles for blocking Taiwan's presidential travel exposes the coercion behind the curtain. Eswatini's exclusion from China's zero-tariff Africa policy shows Beijing punishes countries for asserting their sovereignty rather than respecting their diplomatic choices.

There is a 5 percent chance that China will attack or blockade Taiwan during 2026, according to the Metaculus prediction community.

There is a 5 percent chance that China will attack or blockade Taiwan during 2026, according to the Metaculus prediction community.

China Urges Citizens to Leave Eswatini Over 'Security Risks'

China stepsUrges upCitizens pressureto onLeave Taiwan’sEswatini lastOver African'Security ally as Beijing orders citizens out of EswatiniRisks'

The Spin

Metaculus Prediction

Sign Up for Our Free Newsletters
Sign Up for Our Free Newsletters

China Urges Citizens to Leave Eswatini Over 'Security Risks'

China stepsUrges upCitizens pressureto onLeave Taiwan’sEswatini lastOver African'Security ally as Beijing orders citizens out of EswatiniRisks'

The Spin

Metaculus Prediction

Sign Up for Our Free NewslettersSign Up for Our Free Newsletters

Sign Up for Our Free Newsletters
Sign Up for Our Free Newsletters