By PITA LIGAIULA
SUVA, (PACNEWS)-The United States has warned Fiji of a suspected cyberattack on a Suva-based regional organisation, alleging hackers linked to China maintained access to its network for several days between July and August 2026.
The U.S Embassy recently informed the Fiji Government and the affected organisation of the suspected network compromise and provided technical recommendations to help secure their systems.
The embassy said the incident reflected a broader pattern of cyber activity targeting Pacific governments, multilateral organisations and telecommunications networks by state-sponsored cyber threat actors linked to China.
It said information stolen through such activity could give Chinese intelligence services and other actors access to sensitive data and compromise communications between Pacific Island countries and territories.
The United States said the activity was consistent with its assessment that China remained an active and persistent cyber threat.
The embassy also raised concerns about alleged links between criminal networks, corruption and foreign influence in the Pacific, citing public reporting on individuals and networks operating across the region.
It referred to scholarship describing what researchers call “systemic geocriminality” and alleged links between China’s United Front and criminal figures.
The statement also cited Zhao Fugang, alleging his actions had left Fiji vulnerable to malign foreign influence involving Chinese government, business and criminal actors operating inside and outside the country.
It said corruption undermined foreign investment and assistance, enabled organised crime, created opportunities for foreign interference, contributed to illegal migration and weakened public confidence in government.
The United States said these issues affected its national security, economic and foreign policy interests, as well as those of its Pacific partners.
Washington said its engagement with Pacific countries was part of its commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific and to regional security and prosperity.
“The United States stands with our Pacific friends and neighbors to advance a free and open Indo-Pacific region,” the statement said, describing Pacific security and prosperity as a key pillar of its America First foreign policy.
The United States and Palau will co-chair the inaugural U.S-Pacific Islands Conference of Police Ministers (COPMIN), which will focus on maritime security, drug trafficking, cybercrime and illicit finance.
U.S Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau said American engagement with Pacific countries was based on cooperation with sovereign partners.
“When the United States works with sovereign nations to protect fish stocks, train law enforcement, or build infrastructure, we do so as true partners,” Landau said.
The U.S statement did not identify the Suva-based regional organisation affected by the suspected cyber compromise or provide details of the information potentially accessed….PACNEWS