Fugang Zhao, a businessman and hotelier based in Suva, Fiji, has firmly rejected allegations that he leads an organized crime group within the country. His rebuttal follows a recent report from the Organised Crime and Corruption Reporting Project (OCCRP), which scrutinized his connections with prominent former officials in Fiji.
According to OCCRP, Fiji police had previously cautioned former Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama and former police commissioner Sitiveni Qiliho about Mr. Zhao’s associations. Despite these warnings, both figures maintained their relationship with him. In response to the allegations, Suva lawyer Nikheel Nambiar characterized the claims as “baseless,” asserting that Mr. Zhao does not engage in or support any criminal activities.
The OCCRP report suggests that Mr. Zhao is a pivotal player in China’s endeavor to enhance its influence in Fiji, especially since the government’s transition in 2022. Furthermore, Australian intelligence agencies have labeled him as a “priority target” due to suspicions of organized crime involvement, yet no substantial evidence has been publicly presented against him.
Interestingly, the report details a 2020 police briefing indicating that Mr. Zhao might be leading a local organized crime group with connections to Fiji’s ethnic Chinese community. One of the alleged group members, Jason Zhong, has a criminal background related to meth production and human trafficking, but Mr. Nambiar has confirmed no ties between Mr. Zhao and Zhong.
While Minister for Home Affairs and Immigration, Pio Tikoduadua, acknowledged that Bainimarama and Qiliho did associate with Mr. Zhao, he refrained from commenting on specific investigations. Nambiar clarified that Mr. Zhao had no personal or professional relationship with either official, and his only interactions were due to respect for their positions.
The OCCRP highlights Mr. Zhao’s frequent engagement with Fijian elites and Chinese embassy officials at events at his Yue Lai Hotel. Despite the scrutiny surrounding him, Zhao remains active in fostering partnerships between Fiji and China, including attending significant cultural celebrations.
In summary, the ongoing narrative around Mr. Zhao raises critical questions about the intersection of business, politics, and organized crime within Fiji. As the current government aims to combat narcotics and police corruption, the case of Mr. Zhao emphasizes the complexities and challenges that lie ahead.
Overall, while the allegations against Mr. Zhao are serious, the lack of public evidence, coupled with his vocal defense, invites a cautious analysis of the situation. Engagement between nations, particularly concerning business and tourism, could bode well for Fiji’s economic future, provided that efforts to maintain transparency and integrity in governance continue.
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