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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
“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.<\/p>\n
“His actions constituted significant corruption and adversely affected US interests in Fiji.”<\/p>\n
Zhao and his immediate family members will be barred from entering the United States as a result, Washington said.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
“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.”<\/p>\n
A prominent local businessman and Fijian national, Zhao said in a statement sent to AFP that he “categorically” denied the allegations.<\/p>\n
“They are unsubstantiated,” he said in the statement issued by his lawyers.<\/p>\n
“I have not been questioned by any Fijian authority about these matters, and no charge has been laid against me.”<\/p>\n
Zhao said he had written to the US embassy requesting the full details of the allegations against him.<\/p>\n
“I respect the laws of Fiji and will cooperate fully with any lawful inquiry by the Fijian authorities.”<\/p>\n
– Influence-peddling allegations –<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
Zhao’s lawyer Nikheel Nambiar told AFP he denied those claims and that allegations of influence-peddling for Beijing were “false and misleading”.<\/p>\n
China’s embassy in Suva did not respond to multiple requests for comment from AFP.<\/p>\n
Beijing says Overseas Chinese Service Centers help its nationals with administrative issues abroad, like renewing drivers licenses.<\/p>\n
But rights groups have alleged they are front groups for Beijing to push its interests abroad, including the targeting of dissidents.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
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