US bars Fiji-based Chinese service-centre chief Zhao Fugang over alleged bribes

The United States has barred Zhao Fugang — director of the Overseas Chinese Service Centre in Suva, Fiji — over what Washington says is “significant corruption” on behalf of actors in China, the State Department said on Wednesday. (AFP via NewstalkZB, 8 Oct 2026: https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/news/world/us-says-fiji-based-chinese-government-employee-bribed-local-officials/)

“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, adding that his actions “adversely affected US interests in Fiji”. (AFP)

Zhao and his immediate family members will now be ineligible for entry into the US. The US Embassy in Suva said Zhao’s actions left Fiji open to “malign foreign influence” by Chinese government, business and criminal actors. (AFP)

Beijing says the overseas service centres help Chinese nationals with administrative issues abroad, such as renewing driving licences, while rights groups allege they act as fronts to push Beijing’s interests overseas, including targeting dissidents. (AFP)

Zhao, a naturalised Fijian citizen, has previously been designated an “Australian Priority Organisation Target” by Australian law enforcement and intelligence agencies over alleged organised-crime ties, according to an OCCRP/Nine investigation; he has denied any criminal wrongdoing. China’s embassy in Suva has previously declined questions about him, directing them to local officials. (RNZ, 29 Nov 2024: https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/pacific/535193/tuvalu-bought-millions-in-property-from-australian-criminal-target-zhao; Fiji Times: https://www.fijitimes.com.fj/allegations-false-misleading/)

Note: the corruption allegation is the US government’s claim; Zhao has not been charged by US authorities and the presumption of innocence applies.