State Dept: Designation of Fijian Resident for Involvement in Significant Corruption on Behalf of China-Based Actors

• Zhao paid bribes to Fijian citizens to advance government, business, and criminal interests.
• Zhao and his immediate family members are now generally ineligible for entry into the United States.

The Department of State publicly designated Zhao Fugang, Director of the Overseas Chinese Service Center in Fiji, for involvement in significant corruption. Zhao abused his public position by paying bribes to Fijian citizens to advance China-based interests, including government, business, and criminal activities.

As a result of this designation, Zhao and his immediate family members are generally ineligible for entry into the United States. The action was taken under Section 7031(c) of the National Security, Department of State, and Related Programs Appropriations Act, 2026, which mandates public or private designation of foreign officials involved in significant corruption.

• Screen for Zhao Fugang and immediate family members against Section 7031(c) lists.
• Review transactions involving the Overseas Chinese Service Center in Fiji for bribery typologies.
• Update risk assessments for China-based actors linked to government, business, and criminal interests in Fiji.

This designation highlights the risks posed by foreign officials abusing their positions to facilitate corruption, including bribery, for the benefit of government, business, and criminal actors. Compliance officers must be vigilant in identifying individuals and entities subject to U.S. entry restrictions and sanctions, especially those linked to transnational corruption. The case underscores the importance of monitoring cross-border relationships and transactions involving designated persons and organizations, as such activities can threaten U.S. interests and enable broader criminal networks.