US bars Fiji-based man over corruption tied to China | Corruption News
US State Department Accuses Fijian Official of Corruption Tied to Chinese Interests
The US Department of State has categorized a Fiji-based official as a key player in corruption linked to Chinese interests. Zhao Fugang, the director of the Overseas Chinese Service Center, is accused of exploiting his position to pay bribes to Fijian citizens. The goal, according to the State Department, was to advance the interests of the Chinese government, businesses, and criminal networks.
In a press release issued on Wednesday, the State Department stated, “His actions constituted significant corruption and adversely affected U.S. interests in Fiji.”
As a result of this designation, Zhao and his immediate family members are now generally ineligible for entry into the United States.
The US embassy in Suva, Fiji’s capital, remarked that Zhao’s activities expose the Pacific nation to “malign foreign influence facilitated by Chinese government, business, and criminal actors.” The embassy further noted a concerning trend of criminal activity throughout the Pacific with connections to China.
Beijing asserts that the Overseas Chinese Service Centers provide essential administrative assistance to its citizens abroad, such as renewing driving licenses. However, human rights organizations contend that these centers serve as fronts for Chinese authorities to promote their interests and target dissenters.
In February, the Trump administration also imposed sanctions on two officials from Pacific island nations over allegations of corruption linked to China. The US Department of State reported that Hokkons Baules, the president of the Senate in Palau, and Anderson Jibas, a former mayor in the Marshall Islands, had facilitated opportunities for increased Chinese influence in the region.
