98% of Hong Kong people oppose it! Li Jiachao: We will conduct thorough radiation testing on seafood. Japan | Hong Kong Special Administrative Region | Seafood
According to Hong Kong media reports, the Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, Li Jiachao, stated on July 11 that food safety issues involve public health and the government will take them very seriously.
Li Jiachao pointed out that it is necessary for the government to ensure food safety in Hong Kong and to maintain confidence among the Hong Kong people in food safety. He said that once Japan starts discharging nuclear wastewater, the SAR government will take action to expand the scope of the ban on importing Japanese seafood and conduct thorough radiation testing on seafood.
Li Jiachao pointed out that the government has established an expert group for further research, and a cross departmental group led by the Secretary for Administration will formulate corresponding policies on this matter, which is believed to be announced soon.
Li Jiachao stated that considering the unpredictability of nuclear wastewater being discharged into the sea, no expert can guarantee that it will not affect food safety. More importantly, the impact of nuclear radiation may not appear until several years later, and may even affect the next generation. He said that Hong Kong's related industries may be affected, but he believes they will understand the government's determination to maintain food safety and the importance of citizen health.
![98% of Hong Kong people oppose it! Li Jiachao: We will conduct thorough radiation testing on seafood. Japan | Hong Kong Special Administrative Region | Seafood](https://a5qu.com/upload/images/a4e670561cee4205096db701eda092ac.jpg)
According to statistics from the Statistics Department of the Special Administrative Region Government, last year Japan imported 2% of Hong Kong's overall food supply, while Japan imported less than 5% of the local food market for various types of meat, vegetables, fruits, and dairy products. Aquatic products accounted for 6.75% of local consumption.
After the 2011 Fukushima nuclear power plant accident in Japan, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region has restricted the import of food from Fukushima and four nearby counties to Hong Kong. At present, all vegetables and fruits, milk, dairy beverages, and milk powder in Fukushima Prefecture are not allowed to enter Hong Kong. Food from the four nearby counties must be accompanied by a radiation certificate issued by Japan and an exporter's certificate before it can be imported.
Hong Kong's Ta Kung Pao recently conducted an online poll, and as of the late night of July 8th, 97.98% of the respondents opposed Japan's discharge of nuclear wastewater into the ocean; 96.19% of the surveyed people do not believe the rationale behind Japan's claim to discharge nuclear wastewater.