US bars Fiji-based man over corruption tied to China

The U.S. Department of State has publicly designated Zhao Fugang, a Fiji-based official who leads the Overseas Chinese Service Center, for significant corrupt activity carried out on behalf of Chinese actors. In a release, the department said Zhao "abused his public position by paying bribes to Fijian citizens to advance China-based government, business, and criminal interests," and that his actions adversely affected U.S. interests in Fiji. The designation makes Zhao and his immediate family members generally ineligible to enter the United States. The U.S. embassy in Suva described Zhao's conduct as leaving Fiji vulnerable to "malign foreign influence facilitated by Chinese government, business, and criminal actors," and pointed to public reporting it said shows a pattern of criminals operating across the Pacific with ties to China. Chinese authorities state that Overseas Chinese Service Centers provide administrative assistance to nationals abroad, such as renewing driving licences. Rights groups, however, have accused some centers of serving as fronts for Beijing to advance its interests overseas and of targeting dissidents. The action against Zhao follows a pattern of U.S. measures in the region: in February, the State Department sanctioned two Pacific island leaders, Hokkons Baules of Palau and former Marshall Islands mayor Anderson Jibas, alleging they had created openings for increased Chinese influence.