US says Fiji-based Chinese official paid bribes for Beijing

The United States accused on Thursday a Fijian man working for a Chinese state agency of allegedly paying bribes to advance Beijing's interests in the Pacific nation.

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

"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 barred from entering the United States as a result, Washington said.

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

"Corruption stunts opportunities for foreign investment and foreign assistance, facilitates organized crime, offers a permissive environment for malign actors, drives illegal migration, and undermines citizens' faith in government."

A prominent local businessman and Fijian national, Zhao said in a statement sent to AFP that he "categorically" denied the allegations.

"They are unsubstantiated," he said in the statement issued by his lawyers.

"I have not been questioned by any Fijian authority about these matters, and no charge has been laid against me."

Zhao said he had written to the US embassy requesting the full details of the allegations against him.

"I respect the laws of Fiji and will cooperate fully with any lawful inquiry by the Fijian authorities."

An investigation by the Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project (OCCRP) in 2024 alleged Zhao operated as a key pointman for Beijing's interests in Fiji and was a naturalised citizen of the Pacific nation.

It also reported Zhao was suspected by Australian law enforcement to be a top player in a transnational syndicate linked to human trafficking, money laundering and drugs smuggling.

Zhao's lawyer Nikheel Nambiar told AFP he denied those claims and that allegations of influence-peddling for Beijing were "false and misleading".

China's embassy in Suva did not respond to multiple requests for comment from AFP.

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.

China has sought in recent years to deepen its influence among Pacific Island nations, to the consternation of the United States and its ally Australia.

Beijing sent waves through the region in 2022 when it signed a secretive security pact with Solomon Islands, stoking fears it could one day lead to a permanent military presence.