China News Service, Beijing, April 28 (Reporter Zhang Su) In response to the Japanese Foreign Minister’s protest against “Twitter Illustrations”, Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Zhao Lijian asked at a regular press conference on the 28th, “The Japanese side did it. Bad things, don't you let others talk about it?" He also said that he had pinned this tweet to the top.
Zhao Lijian posted a tweet on the 26th, in which it said: "A Chinese illustrator has recreated the Japanese painting "Kanagawa Surfing." If the original author Katsushika Hokusai is still alive, he will also be very concerned about the issue of nuclear contaminated water in Japan. "
This tweet subsequently attracted the attention of the Japanese side, and the Japanese Foreign Minister requested that it be deleted.
At the regular press conference of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China on the 28th, a Japanese reporter asked Zhao Lijian whether it would be deleted.
Zhao Lijian first stated: "As far as I know, this is a painting by a young Chinese illustrator. I think this first shows that Mr. Katsushika Hokusai's original painting is well-known in China, and the Chinese people have a good understanding of Japanese culture. This new work reflects the Chinese people’s worries and dissatisfaction with the Japanese government’s unilateral decision to deal with the Fukushima nuclear-contaminated water by way of drainage."
Zhao Lijian pointed out that, in fact, it is not only China, but Japan's actions have triggered strong opposition and solemn concern from many governments, international organizations, more than 300 environmental protection groups around the world, and people from all countries including Japanese nationals.
"We have mentioned many times that Fukushima nuclear polluted water has many harmful substances and is extremely harmful." Zhao Lijian cited as an example, American scientific journals, German marine scientific research institutions, Russia, South Korea and other countries believe that Japan intends to discharge nuclear pollution. Even after careful cleaning, water still contains a lot of radioactive isotopes, of which the half-life of carbon 14 element can reach 5730 years.
Since the date of discharge of nuclear contaminated water, it will affect all countries along the Pacific coast in the next few decades, and the radioactive substances contained in it will cause harm to the global marine environment for thousands of years.
"In order to save money, Japan unilaterally decided to discharge nuclear-contaminated water into the sea, which is extremely irresponsible. Japan made a wrong decision first, and we protested later. Japan has done bad things, so why don't you let others talk about it?" Zhao Lijian said.
He said: “It’s not one or two days since the whole world protests. Some Japanese officials have been pretending to be deaf and dumb. Why are they furious at an illustration? They should listen to the protests of the people around the world against the discharge of nuclear contaminated water.”
Zhao Lijian emphasized that Japan should recognize its own responsibilities, fulfill its international obligations, and revoke wrong decisions. "As for whether you will delete the post and apologize, you may have noticed it. I have put this tweet on top." Zhao Lijian told reporters that the illustrations reflect legitimate public opinion and calls for justice, and it is the Japanese government that needs to withdraw. Wrong decision and apologize. (Finish)