U.S. designates Fiji-based Zhao Fugang over corruption linked to Chinese interests

WASHINGTON, October 7, 2026 — The U.S. Department of State announced the public designation of Zhao Fugang, director of the Overseas Chinese Service Center in Fiji, under Section 7031(c) of the National Security, Department of State, and Related Programs Appropriations Act, 2026.

According to the State Department, Zhao abused his public position by paying bribes to Fijian citizens to advance the interests of China-based government, business and criminal actors. U.S. officials said his activities constituted significant corruption and adversely affected American interests in Fiji.

The designation renders Zhao and his immediate family members generally ineligible to enter the United States. Section 7031(c) authorizes the U.S. secretary of state to designate foreign officials and their immediate family members when credible information indicates involvement in significant corruption or gross human rights violations.

The measure is a visa restriction rather than an asset-freezing sanction and does not, by itself, impose financial blocking measures under the U.S. Treasury Department's Office of Foreign Assets Control.

The State Department said the action reflects Washington's commitment to combating corruption that facilitates drug trafficking, enables transnational criminal organizations and threatens U.S. interests internationally.

In a statement reported by The Fiji Times on Oct. 8, Zhao denied the allegations, describing them as unsubstantiated. He said he had not been contacted by U.S. authorities before the designation and had not been charged by Fijian authorities. Zhao said he had requested details of the allegations from the U.S. Embassy in Suva.

The designation highlights U.S. concerns about corruption and China-linked activities in the Pacific region, where Washington and Beijing maintain competing strategic interests.