Our Ministry of Foreign Affairs responded: China's measures are completely legitimate, reasonable, and necessary!, Japan submits documents to the WTO
On September 5th, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning presided over a regular press conference.
A reporter from Kyodo News Agency in Japan asked that the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced on the 4th that it had submitted a written document to the World Trade Organization (WTO), stating that the import control measures announced by China after Japan initiated the discharge of "nuclear treated water" into the sea were "completely unacceptable". May I ask what the Ministry of Foreign Affairs thinks about this? Will we negotiate with the Japanese side on this matter?
Mao Ning stated that we have repeatedly expressed China's solemn position on the issue of Japan's nuclear contaminated water being discharged into the sea. The forced discharge of nuclear contaminated water by Japan into the ocean has never been a precedent since the peaceful use of nuclear energy by humans, and there is no recognized standard for disposal. The international community is generally concerned about the risks that Japan's actions bring to the marine environment and public safety, and has taken preventive measures. China's relevant measures are fully legitimate, reasonable, and necessary.
"As for the specific issue you mentioned, I suggest consulting with the Chinese regulatory authorities," said Mao Ning.
According to Global Times, several Japanese media outlets including Fuji Shimbun reported on the 5th that the documents submitted by the Kishida government to the WTO are aimed at China's notification to the WTO on August 31st and have decided to take import control measures. The document claims that Japan will continue to demand that China revoke the measure.
In response to the Kishida government's launch of nuclear contaminated water discharge into the sea on August 24th, the General Administration of Customs of China released a message on the same day: In order to comprehensively prevent the radioactive pollution risk caused by Japan's Fukushima nuclear contaminated water discharge into the sea, protect the health of Chinese consumers, and ensure the safety of imported food, in accordance with the relevant provisions of the Food Safety Law of the People's Republic of China and its implementation regulations, the Measures for the Administration of Import and Export Food Safety of the People's Republic of China, as well as the relevant provisions of the Agreement on the Implementation of Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures of the World Trade Organization, the General Administration of Customs has decided to completely suspend the import of aquatic products originating from Japan from August 24th, 2023.
Japan has previously hinted that it is considering filing a complaint with the WTO. In addition, regarding the possibility of Japan appealing China's import control measures to the WTO, US Ambassador to Japan Emmanuel recently stated, "If Japan decides to take this action, the United States will support it."