Do not let Fukushima nuclear contaminated water pose a threat to human health. The Chinese representative once again urges Japan to accept strict international supervision
The June Board of Directors of the International Atomic Energy Agency was held from June 5th to 8th at the Vienna International Conference Center. Chinese Permanent Representative to the International Atomic Energy Agency, Li Song, urged Japan to take responsibility and face the legitimate concerns of the international community with a scientific attitude during the meeting, so as not to let the Fukushima nuclear contaminated water pose a long-term threat to the international marine environment and human health.
Li Song stated that June 5th is World Environment Day, and June 8th is World Oceans Day. During this week of the Council, the world has been concerned about marine environmental security issues. Even fishermen in Fukushima are calling for the protection of the ocean and not just focusing on Japan. However, on the opening day of the board of directors, Tokyo Electric Power Company released a report showing that the radioactive elements in the body of the sea fish Xu's flatfish caught in the harbor of Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant in May this year exceeded the standard, with a cesium content of 18000 becquerels per kilogram, exceeding 180 times the standard set by Japan's Food and Health Law. On the same day, Tokyo Electric Power Company began injecting seawater into the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant's contaminated water discharge tunnel, intensifying preparations before discharge.
Li Song emphasized that Japan completely disregards its international obligations, disregards international maritime security and human health, disregards widespread questioning and strong opposition from the international community, including its own people, disregards the authority of the International Atomic Energy Agency, acts unilaterally, and forcibly discharges into the sea. The Japanese side cannot hear the voices of opposition both domestically and internationally, and does not allow other countries to express legitimate concerns. This is a cowardly act, extremely selfish and irresponsible.
Li Song said that the Japanese side has repeatedly entangled with the term "nuclear contaminated water", claiming that the water to be discharged is purified through a "multi nuclide treatment system", and even equated the Fukushima nuclear contaminated water with the water discharged from normal operation of global nuclear power plants. This kind of sophistry that goes against scientific common sense is shocking. As is well known, the water discharged from normally operating nuclear power plants does not come into direct contact with the reactor core. It is processed through a mature system and strictly tested to meet standards; The contaminated water from Fukushima nuclear power plant comes into direct contact with the melted reactor core during the nuclear accident, containing over 60 radioactive nuclides. The treatment system specially designed by Japan to treat Fukushima nuclear contaminated water has not been verified by third-party testing and practice for its effectiveness, reliability, and stability. The Japanese side also admitted that the system malfunctioned shortly after operation, with over 70% of the radioactive nuclide activity in the treated nuclear contaminated water exceeding the emission limit.
Li Song pointed out that China once again urges Japan to pay attention to the legitimate and reasonable concerns of the international community, conscientiously fulfill its international obligations, fully consult with stakeholders, including neighboring countries, and relevant international institutions, dispose of Fukushima nuclear contaminated water in a scientific, open, transparent, and safe manner, and accept strict supervision from the international community, so as not to let Fukushima nuclear contaminated water pose a long-term threat to the international marine environment and human health.
