Amanze Chinonye
China has advised its citizens against travelling to Eswatini and urged those already in the southern African kingdom to leave or relocate to safer areas, citing “extremely high security risks” linked to telecommunications fraud and illegal online gambling.
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China’s Foreign Ministry issued the advisory on Tuesday, recommending that Chinese nationals and institutions in Eswatini relocate to relatively safer areas, including neighbouring South Africa. It also warned that those who remained could face difficulties obtaining consular assistance.
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The warning came as Eswatini authorities faced scrutiny over the detention of Chinese nationals following a crackdown on suspected illegal online gambling operations.
The Times of Eswatini reported that 40 Chinese nationals had been detained after attempting to leave the country. They were among more than 100 foreign nationals arrested in March during raids in and around the capital, Mbabane, targeting suspected illegal online gambling activities.
Lawyers representing the Chinese nationals said their clients had pleaded guilty to immigration offences and paid court-ordered fines. They argued that the subsequent arrests breached a High Court order under which the group had been released.
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian said on Wednesday that Beijing had issued the advisory following an assessment of what he described as a complex security situation in Eswatini.
“Telecom fraud and online gambling are rampant, and security risks are extremely high,” Lin told a regular news briefing, describing travel advisories as a normal consular practice.
Asked whether the warning was related to Eswatini’s lack of diplomatic relations with China, Lin did not directly address the question.
Eswatini’s government rejected the suggestion that the kingdom faced unusual or widespread security threats.
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Acting government spokeswoman Thabile Mdluli said Eswatini respected China’s right to issue consular advice but considered any suggestion that the country posed an exceptional or generalised security risk to be unsupported by the prevailing situation.
She said the law-enforcement operation involving foreign nationals, most of them Chinese, followed investigations into suspected organised cyber-related criminal activity and was conducted in accordance with Eswatini law.
Rather than indicating a failure of public security, Mdluli said, the operation demonstrated the effectiveness of the kingdom’s law-enforcement institutions.
“Eswatini remains a peaceful, stable and law-governed State,” she said, adding that citizens, residents and foreign visitors were protected by the constitution and the law.
The government also rejected attempts to portray the operation as evidence that Eswatini had become a centre of systemic criminality or cybercrime.
The dispute has a wider diplomatic dimension. Eswatini is the only African country that maintains formal diplomatic relations with Taiwan, while Beijing and Mbabane have no diplomatic ties.
China regards Taiwan as part of its territory and has sought to persuade countries that maintain official relations with Taipei to switch recognition to Beijing.
Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te visited Eswatini in May after Taiwan accused China of pressuring Madagascar, Seychelles and Mauritius to deny airspace clearances for his presidential aircraft. Lai subsequently travelled to Eswatini aboard an Airbus A340 belonging to King Mswati III.
The warning comes months after China announced zero-tariff treatment for imports from 53 African countries. Eswatini was excluded from the arrangement.
Mdluli said Eswatini remained committed to international engagement based on sovereign equality, mutual respect and non-interference.
Amanze Chinonye is a Staff Correspondent at Prime Business Africa, a rising star in the literary world, weaving captivating stories that transport readers to the vibrant landscapes of Nigeria and the rest of Africa. With a unique voice that blends with the newspaper's tradition and style, Chinonye's writing is a masterful exploration of the human condition, delving into themes of identity, culture, and social justice. Through her words, Chinonye paints vivid portraits of everyday African life, from the bustling markets of Nigeria's Lagos to the quiet villages of South Africa's countryside . With a keen eye for detail and a deep understanding of the complexities of Nigerian society, Chinonye's writing is both a testament to the country's rich cultural heritage and a powerful call to action for a brighter future. As a writer, Chinonye is a true storyteller, using her dexterity to educate, inspire, and uplift readers around the world.
