China News Service, Beijing, January 16 (Reporter Huang Yuqin) Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Wang Wenbin presided over a regular press conference on the 16th.
A reporter asked: According to reports, the Japanese government said on the 13th that it will start discharging into the sea the treated water from the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant in the spring and summer of this year.
The National Federation of Fisheries Associations of Japan once again stated its opposition.
The South Korean Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated on the same day that the Japanese side must proceed from an objective and scientific perspective, and deal with the Fukushima nuclear-contaminated water in a safe and consistent manner with international laws and standards.
What is China's comment?
Wang Wenbin: In the past two years, the international community has been strongly questioning and opposing the Japanese government's unilateral and wrong decision to discharge Fukushima nuclear-contaminated water into the ocean, and is seriously concerned about the impact of this move on the marine environment and public health.
In fact, most people in Japan also oppose this irresponsible approach.
Relevant polls show that 55% of those surveyed are opposed to treating nuclear-contaminated water and discharging it into the sea.
Regrettably, the concerns of all parties have not yet received due attention and resolution from the Japanese side.
On issues such as the legitimacy of the nuclear-contaminated water discharge plan, the reliability of nuclear-contaminated water data, the effectiveness of purification devices, and the uncertainty of environmental impact, the Japanese side failed to make scientific and credible explanations.
Although the technical working group of the International Atomic Energy Agency has visited Japan three times for on-site inspection and evaluation, it has not yet reached a conclusion on the safety of Japan's disposal plan, and has also put forward many clarification requirements and suggestions for rectification to the Japanese side.
Under such circumstances, it is reckless and irresponsible for the Japanese side to forcibly approve the nuclear contaminated water discharge plan and advance the construction of the discharge project.
China once again urges the Japanese side to face up to the legitimate concerns of all parties, dispose of nuclear-contaminated water in a scientific, open, transparent and safe manner, and accept the strict supervision of the International Atomic Energy Agency to effectively protect the marine environment and the health rights and interests of people in all countries.
Before fully consulting with neighboring countries and other stakeholders and relevant international agencies, Japan must not initiate the discharge of nuclear contaminated water into the sea without authorization.
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