China News Agency, Berlin, March 6th, Vienna News: The International Atomic Energy Agency (hereinafter referred to as the "Agency") March Board meeting was held in Vienna on the 6th.
Liu Jing, deputy director of China's National Atomic Energy Agency, made a speech under the topic of nuclear safety, sternly expounding China's position and concerns on the disposal of nuclear-contaminated water in Fukushima, Japan.
In response to Japan's sophistry, Ambassador Li Song, China's Permanent Representative to the International Atomic Energy Agency, exercised the right of reply to sternly refute it.
Liu Jing pointed out that the discharge of Japan's Fukushima nuclear-contaminated water affects the global marine environment and public health, and it is not a private matter of the Japanese side.
The agency has yet to complete the assessment of Japan's disposal plan, let alone draw specific conclusions. The three reports released so far all point out that Japan's nuclear contaminated water disposal and supervision plan is inconsistent with the agency's safety standards, and put forward many suggestions for improvement.
However, the Japanese side, ignoring the professional and authoritative opinions of the International Atomic Energy Agency and opposing voices at home and abroad, insisted on approving the nuclear contaminated water discharge plan and accelerating the construction of sea discharge facilities. Relevant countries are strongly concerned.
Liu Jing said that China supports the agency's work on the disposal of Japan's nuclear-contaminated water, and hopes that the agency will continue to uphold an objective and fair stance in performing its duties, fully listen to the opinions of stakeholders, and strictly implement the agency's relevant safety standards and international good practices. Assist the international community to ensure the absolute safety of Fukushima nuclear contaminated water disposal.
Liu Jing emphasized that discharge into the sea is not the only feasible means for Japan to dispose of the Fukushima nuclear-contaminated water, and the Japanese side should not use the review by the agency's technical working group as a talisman for discharging nuclear-contaminated water into the sea.
The Japanese side must not one-sidedly interpret, distort and use the relevant reports of the agency's technical working group to endorse its own sea discharge plan, nor should it ignore the authoritative and professional opinions of the agency's technical working group to force the implementation of the sea discharge plan, let alone issue a final review for the agency's technical working group The reporter sets an artificial time limit.
Fukushima nuclear contaminated water has a long time span and various uncertainties. Japan should accept effective international supervision on the disposal of nuclear contaminated water. At the same time, Japan should face up to the legitimate and reasonable concerns of neighboring countries and Pacific island countries, and share interests relevant parties to conduct full and meaningful consultations.
Li Song pointed out that it is extremely irresponsible for Japan to forcibly advance preparations for the discharge of Fukushima nuclear contaminated water in disregard of widespread doubts and strong opposition from the international community, including its own people, and attempt to use institutions to endorse it.
Many neighboring countries and Pacific island countries, including China, are uneasy, distrustful, and do not agree to Japan's above-mentioned actions.
China once again urges Japan to face up to the concerns of the international community and refrain from arbitrarily launching the discharge of nuclear contaminated water into the sea.
Li Song emphasized that the discharge of Fukushima nuclear polluted water into the sea is a highly controversial issue that needs to be taken seriously and handled carefully by the international community and the member states of the International Atomic Energy Agency.
The agency should intervene in relevant issues at the request of the Japanese side. It must be scientific, impartial, and transparent, and must not endorse Japan's sea discharge. It should establish a long-term monitoring international arrangement led by the agency and fully participated by laboratories and experts from China and other stakeholders. .
The Chinese side will take a highly responsible attitude and earnestly participate in the relevant work process of the agency.
(over)