Asia Pacific News

US says Fiji-based Chinese government employee bribed local officials

Published on أكتوبر 8, 2026 at 01:47

Beijing has sought to deepen its influence in the Pacific in recent years — Saeed KHAN / AFP
Beijing has sought to deepen its influence in the Pacific in recent years — Saeed KHAN / AFP

The United States has barred a Fiji-based man working for the Chinese state over alleged bribes to local officials, the State Department said.

Zhao Fugang -- Director of the Overseas Chinese Service Center in Fiji's capital of Suva -- engaged in "significant corruption" on behalf of actors in China, Washington said on Wednesday.

"Zhao abused his public position by paying bribes to Fijian citizens to advance China-based government, business, and criminal interests," State Department Spokesman Tommy Pigott said.

"His actions constituted significant corruption and adversely affected US interests in Fiji."

Zhao and his immediate family members will be ineligible for entry into the United States, Washington said.

The US embassy in Suva said Zhao's actions left the Pacific nation open to "malign foreign influence" by Chinese government, business and criminal actors.

Beijing says Overseas Chinese Service Centers help its nationals with administrative issues abroad, like renewing drivers licenses.

But rights groups have alleged they are front groups for Beijing to push its interests abroad, including the targeting of dissidents.