‘Oceans are shared property’

Deep concern over discharge of Fukushima nuclear wastewater into sea

China has expressed grave concern about Japan’s decision to discharge nuclear wastewater from Fukushima nuclear plant into the sea.

A Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson said in a statement Tuesday that the Fukushima nuclear accident was one of the most serious in world history.

The leak of large amounts of radioactive materials has had far-reaching implications on the marine environment, food safety and human health.

A report by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) expert team pointed out that if the wastewater containing tritium from the Fukushima nuclear plant is discharged into the sea, it will affect the marine environment and people’s health of neighbouring countries.

The agency also said the treated wastewater needed to be further purified to remove other radionuclides.

The spokesperson said that despite doubts and opposition from home and abroad, Japan has unilaterally decided to release the Fukushima nuclear wastewater into the sea before exhausting all safe ways of disposal and without fully consulting with neighbouring countries and the international community.

“This is highly irresponsible and will severely affect human health and the immediate interests of people in neighbouring countries,” said the spokesperson.

Noting that oceans are mankind’s shared property, the spokesperson said how the wastewater from the Fukushima nuclear power plant is handled is not merely a domestic issue limited to Japan’s interests.

The spokesperson said China strongly urges the Japanese side to face up to its responsibility, follow the science, fulfill its international obligations and duly respond to the serious concerns of the international community, neighbouring countries and its own people.

The spokesperson called on the Japanese side to reevaluate the issue and refrain from wantonly discharging the wastewater before reaching consensus with all stakeholders and the IAEA through full consultations.

“China will continue to watch closely the developments of the matter, along with the international community.

“China reserves the right to make further reactions,” the spokesperson said.