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China advises citizens to leave Taiwan ally Eswatini over security risks

Created at 26 Aug · 12:31 PM1 source↑ Market-relevant
IN SHORT

China's foreign ministry has urged its citizens to leave Eswatini due to rampant cyber fraud and gambling-related criminal activities. Eswatini is one of Taiwan's few remaining diplomatic allies, a status that has drawn criticism from Beijing.

Key Numbers

12countries with diplomatic relations with Taiwan

Who's Involved

China
advised citizens to leave Eswatini
Eswatini
southern African kingdom and Taiwan ally
Taiwan
diplomatic ally of Eswatini
Lai Ching-te
President of Taiwan who visited Eswatini

↳ Why This Matters

The advisory highlights the ongoing geopolitical tension between China and Taiwan, with Eswatini caught in the middle as one of Taiwan's few remaining diplomatic allies. China's actions underscore its efforts to isolate Taiwan internationally.

Key facts

  • China's foreign ministry has advised its citizens to leave Eswatini due to security risks.
  • Concerns cited include rampant cyber fraud and criminal activities associated with gambling.
  • Eswatini is one of the few countries globally, and the only one in Africa, with diplomatic ties to Taiwan.
  • Taiwan's President Lai Ching-te visited Eswatini in May.
  • China had previously accused Beijing of attempting to disrupt Lai's travel to the African nation.

China's foreign ministry has issued an advisory for its citizens to depart from Eswatini, citing "security risks" including "rampant cyber fraud and criminal activities associated with gambling." The ministry recommended relocating to safer countries like neighboring South Africa.

Eswatini holds diplomatic relations with Taiwan, making it one of only 12 countries worldwide and the sole nation in Africa to do so. China considers Taiwan a breakaway territory and has long pressured countries to sever ties with Taipei.

Earlier this year, Taiwan accused China of attempting to obstruct President Lai Ching-te's travel to Eswatini by pressuring nearby nations to revoke overflight permits. Lai eventually visited Eswatini in May, though the exact travel route was not disclosed. Following the visit, Beijing's foreign ministry dismissed Lai as an "international laughing stock."

In a move that appeared to further isolate Eswatini, China recently removed tariffs for all African countries except Eswatini. Details regarding the number of Chinese citizens residing or working in Eswatini remain unclear.

Frequently asked questions

China cited "security risks," specifically mentioning "rampant cyber fraud and criminal activities associated with gambling" as reasons for the advisory.

Eswatini is one of the few countries globally, and the only one in Africa, that maintains official diplomatic relations with Taiwan.

Yes, Taiwan accused China of attempting to disrupt President Lai Ching-te's visit to Eswatini in May by pressuring countries for overflight permits.

What Happens Next

01Eswatini government is expected to comment on the situation.
02Further actions by China to pressure countries with ties to Taiwan may occur.

How It Developed

China's foreign ministry advised its citizens to leave Eswatini due to security risks.
The ministry cited rampant cyber fraud and gambling-related criminal activities as concerns.
Eswatini is one of Taiwan's few diplomatic allies, a status China opposes.
Taiwan's President Lai Ching-te visited Eswatini in May.
China previously accused Beijing of attempting to disrupt Lai's travel to Eswatini.
China scrapped tariffs for most African countries earlier this year, excluding Eswatini.

Sources

T1
China advises its citizens to leave Taiwan ally Eswatini over 'security risks'BBC News

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