Spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs: Once again urges Japan not to impose unpredictable risks on the international marine environment | Japan | Spokesperson
Beijing, July 6th (Xinhua) - Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin said on July 6th that China once again urges Japan to stop forcefully promoting plans to discharge nuclear contaminated water into the sea in a responsible attitude towards the marine environment and human health, and not to impose unpredictable risks on the international community.
At the regular press conference that day, a reporter asked: After the International Atomic Energy Agency released the comprehensive assessment report on the disposal of nuclear contaminated water in Fukushima, there has been a continuous surge of opposition to the discharge of nuclear contaminated water into the sea in Japan, both domestically and internationally. The Japan Fisheries Association and others are preparing to submit approximately 33000 signatures to Tokyo Electric Power Company opposing the discharge of nuclear wastewater into the sea. The South Korean Democratic Party has decided to consider proposing legislation to completely ban Japanese seafood imports. More than 1.05 million South Koreans have participated in the party's signature campaign against Japan's Fukushima nuclear contaminated water discharge into the sea. The former Prime Minister of Papua New Guinea, a Pacific island country, stated that the International Atomic Energy Agency's report cannot convince the public and will continue to raise questions to the United Nations and other relevant international organizations. What is the spokesperson's comment on this?
Wang Wenbin stated that China has repeatedly clarified its position on Japan's strong push for the discharge of nuclear contaminated water into the sea. The most important thing for Japan is how to reduce economic costs, rather than how to maintain the marine ecological environment and human health. There are various solutions for the disposal of nuclear contaminated water, including long-term storage, hydrogen release, formation injection, underground burial, and steam release. The Japanese side chose the sea discharge plan with the lowest economic cost, but shifted the risk of nuclear pollution to the world. This approach of placing money above human life and health is inevitably opposed by the international community.
He said that the Japanese side did not fully consult with the international community, especially stakeholders. The Japanese government unilaterally announced in April 2021 that it would discharge nuclear contaminated water into the sea, and in July 2022, despite strong opposition from the international community, especially neighboring countries and other stakeholders, it officially approved the discharge plan and repeatedly emphasized that it would not be postponed. All of these fully reflect Japan's selfishness and arrogance. Although Japan is under domestic and international pressure to request the International Atomic Energy Agency to conduct a review and evaluation, the discharge of nuclear contaminated water into the sea is a predetermined result for Japan, and inviting the agency to evaluate is just a facade.
Wang Wenbin said that discharging into the sea is an unprecedented adventure full of uncertainty. The process of discharging nuclear contaminated water into the sea will last for 30 years or even longer. According to Japan's own data, nearly 70% of the nuclear contaminated water treated by the multi nuclide treatment system still does not meet the discharge standards, and the effectiveness and reliability of the system will further decrease with equipment corrosion and aging during long-term operation. The international community has ample reason to express concerns and dissatisfaction regarding these uncertain factors.
"The Chinese side once again urges the Japanese side, with a responsible attitude towards the marine environment and human health, to stop forcefully promoting plans to discharge nuclear contaminated water into the sea, and not to impose unpredictable risks on the international community," said Wang Wenbin.