Casino Found Inside Foreign Consulate in China

^{Consulate General of the Republic of Vanuatu in Guangzhou, China}

Vanuatu, a small Pacific island nation, has found itself at the center of an unusual diplomatic controversy after Chinese authorities said an illegal gambling operation had been running for several months inside its consulate general in Guangzhou. Vanuatu Daily Post reported the development, citing a diplomatic note from China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

According to the Chinese side, the gambling rooms operated from January to April 2025. The premises contained gaming tables, equipment and chips, while organizers brought people in to take part in gambling activities.

The diplomatic note was sent to the Vanuatu Embassy in Beijing on September 15, 2025.

In it, China’s Foreign Ministry said the criminal investigation was still ongoing at the time and asked Vanuatu to explain how the consular premises had come to be used for gambling activities.

Chinese Foreign Ministry note on gambling activities at the Vanuatu Consulate General

Beijing also asked Vanuatu to investigate whether any diplomats or other staff members may have been involved.

China also reminded Vanuatu of the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations. The convention prohibits diplomatic and consular premises from being used for purposes incompatible with their official functions.

Following publication of the details, Vanuatu’s opposition appealed to the Ombudsman, who investigates complaints involving government bodies and public officials.

Opposition politicians said the country’s Foreign Ministry had received the Chinese note but failed to respond to it for a long period. They also raised questions about Consul General Jacques Himford (pictured). According to the opposition, he was removed from his post and later reinstated.

There have been no reports of charges being brought against Himford or any other staff members.

The Ombudsman’s Office confirmed that it had received the complaint and is assessing whether there are grounds for a further investigation. Vanuatu’s Foreign Ministry said the matter had been resolved in 2025, but did not specify what measures had been taken or when the country formally responded to China.