US says Fiji-based Chinese Government employee bribed local officials

The United States has barred a Fiji-based man working for the Chinese state over alleged bribes to local officials, the US State Department said.

Zhao Fugang – director of the Overseas Chinese Service Centre in Suva – engaged in “significant corruption” on behalf of actors in China, Washington said.

“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 ineligible for entry into the US, Washington said.

The US Embassy in Suva said Zhao’s actions left the Pacific nation open to “malign foreign influence” by Chinese Government, business and criminal actors.

Beijing says Overseas Chinese Service Centres help its nationals with administrative issues abroad, like renewing drivers’ licences.

But rights groups have alleged they are front groups for Beijing to push its interests abroad, including the targeting of dissidents.

- AFP