Australian security agencies have designated Zhao Fugang as a high-priority target due to his suspected links with the Chinese Communist Party and organized crime.

Zhao is accused of advancing Chinese political interests in Fiji and overseeing illegal drug shipments to Australia.

Concerns revolve around Zhao's involvement in crimes such as drug trafficking, money laundering, migration fraud, and human trafficking, which affect Australia.

Zhao's connection to ex-Fijian Prime Minister Frank Bainimarama underscores the anxiety over China's expanding sway in the South Pacific.

The Australian Federal Police are intensifying their investigation into Zhao's networks and pushing for global cooperation, along with seeking funds to combat organized crime in the Pacific.

These developments signal a heightened effort to counteract Chinese presence in the region, questioning China's reliability as a security and policing ally.

The US Treasury Department is contemplating international financial sanctions on Zhao, highlighting the potential repercussions for China's regional influence strategies.