Spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs: Fukushima | Government of Japan | Spokesperson
On August 23, Xinhua News Agency reported to the Japanese government that it would launch the Fukushima nuclear contaminated water discharge into the sea on August 24. Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin responded to inquiries at a regular press conference on August 23, stating that China does not want August 24, 2023 to become a disaster day for the marine environment. If the Japanese side persists in their actions, they must bear historical responsibility for it.
Wang Wenbin stated that Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Sun Weidong summoned Japanese Ambassador to China Chui Xiufu on the 22nd and made solemn representations to the Japanese side in this regard. The Chinese side pointed out that the Japanese government disregards strong questioning and opposition from the international community and insists on announcing the upcoming discharge of contaminated water from the Fukushima nuclear power plant into the sea. This act openly transfers the risk of nuclear pollution to neighboring countries, including China, and the international community, placing one's own interests above the long-term well-being of people in the region and around the world. It is extremely selfish and irresponsible. China expresses serious concern and strong opposition.
"The ocean is the blue homeland on which all humanity relies for survival, and Japan is not allowed to dump nuclear contaminated water at will. Japan's strong push to discharge nuclear contaminated water into the sea is undoubtedly a gamble on the global marine environment and human health." Wang Wenbin said that if Japan is truly sincere in addressing the concerns of neighboring countries, it should immediately stop its strong push to discharge water into the sea, engage in exchanges without predetermined results, and fully discuss all possible safety disposal plans.
Wang Wenbin stated that China strongly urges Japan to withdraw its erroneous decision, stop forcefully promoting plans to discharge nuclear contaminated water into the sea, communicate with neighboring countries in good faith with a sincere attitude, and handle it responsibly to avoid unpredictable damage and harm to the global marine environment. "If the Japanese side insists on promoting a strong plan to discharge pollutants into the sea, the Chinese government will take necessary measures to firmly safeguard the marine environment, food safety, and public health."
"We cannot recover from the past, and we do not want August 24, 2023 to become a disaster day for the marine environment. If Japan persists, it must bear historical responsibility for this," he said.
Regarding the speculation by foreign media about the normal operation and drainage of China's nuclear power plants, Wang Wenbin stated that China has repeatedly pointed out that the contaminated water from the Fukushima nuclear power plant in Japan is water that passes through the melted core of the nuclear power plant. This type of contaminated water is completely different from the normal operation and drainage of the nuclear power plant, with different properties, sources, and treatment difficulties.
"The Japanese side intends to confuse these two, which precisely shows that the Japanese side does not emphasize science on this issue and intends to deceive the international community," said Wang Wenbin.
Wang Wenbin stated that for over two years, the legitimacy, legality, and safety of the Fukushima nuclear contaminated water discharge plan have been questioned by the international community. The Japanese side has yet to address major concerns from the international community regarding the long-term reliability of nuclear contaminated water purification devices, the accuracy of nuclear contaminated water data, and the effectiveness of discharge monitoring arrangements. China and other stakeholders have repeatedly pointed out that if nuclear contaminated water is safe, there is no need to discharge it into the sea, and if it is not safe, it should not be discharged into the sea.
"Japan's strong push to discharge nuclear contaminated water into the sea is unfair, unreasonable, and unnecessary. We advise Japan not to shift the risk of nuclear pollution to all humanity based on its own selfish interests.".