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.
Latest stories
Asian Edition Samsung expects 780% quarterly operating profit jump on AI boom
Samsung Electronics forecast Thursday a more than 780 percent leap in third-quarter operating profit from a year earlier, buoyed by high memory chip prices as...
Climate and Environment As species decline, green turtles offer glimmer of hope
The palm-sized green turtle hatchling flailing through the sand on a Malaysian island may seem vulnerable, but its species has emerged as a symbol...
Sports Guardians survive with 9-3 win over White Sox
Jo Adell struck a bases-clearing triple as the Cleveland Guardians thumped the Chicago White Sox 9-3 Wednesday to stay alive in...