‘Extremely high’ security risks: China tells citizens to leave Eswatini after Taiwan president’s visit

BEIJING, Aug 26 - In response to Taiwan's president Lai Ching-te's recent visit to Eswatini, China has ordered its citizens to evacuate the African nation immediately, citing severe security risks. The move comes as part of China's ongoing dispute over Taiwan, which Beijing views as a breakaway province that should be reunited with the mainland.

Eswatini, formerly known as Swaziland, remains one of Taiwan's few diplomatic allies. The Chinese consular affairs department stated that "Chinese nationals and institutions already in the country should evacuate as soon as possible or relocate to relatively safer areas such as South Africa." The department noted that "rampant cyber fraud and online gambling criminal activities" were among the security concerns.

The extent to which Chinese citizens were present in Eswatini was not disclosed. Those who remain in the country will face "extremely high security risks, and the timeliness of receiving consular assistance may be affected," according to the Chinese foreign ministry's statement. Eswatini, a small sovereign state, is one of 12 nations still recognizing Taiwan.

China has been successful in persuading other countries to sever diplomatic ties with Taiwan. Recently, China extended a zero-tariff policy to African nations, excluding Eswatini.