The representative of China urged Japan to reverse the wrong decision to discharge the water polluted by Fukushima nuclear power plant into the sea

Xinhua news agency, United Nations, June 25 - Geng Shuang, Deputy Permanent Representative of China to the United Nations, exercised his right of reply at the 31st meeting of States parties to the United Nations Convention on the law of the sea on June 25, refuting the wrong remarks made by the Japanese representative and urging Japan to withdraw its wrong decision to dispose of the contaminated water from the Fukushima nuclear power plant accident by means of marine discharge.

He said that when the Japanese representative spoke just now, he made wrong remarks on the issue of Fukushima nuclear polluted water, trying to emphasize that the treated nuclear polluted water discharged into the sea is harmless, that Japan has been open and transparent, and that the relevant practices have been recognized by the International Atomic Energy Agency. These are totally inconsistent with the facts and are purely intentional misleading. China would like to stress that:

First, the Fukushima nuclear accident is one of the most serious nuclear accidents in the world so far. The polluted water comes from the cooling water, groundwater and rainwater flowing through the damaged reactor core, which contains a large number of radionuclides produced by nuclear fission. These nuclides do not exist in nature, and there is no international emission precedent. The impact on the marine environment, food safety and public health can not be ignored. If the water from the Fukushima nuclear power plant is as harmless as Japan says, why does Japan not leave it for its own use instead of discharging it into the sea?

Second, Japan is not as transparent as it claims to be. Before the announcement of the decision, Japan did not fully consult with neighboring countries and other stakeholders. After the announcement of the decision, the Pacific Rim countries including China and the Pacific Islands Forum all expressed concern about Japan's decision to discharge nuclear polluted water to the sea. Japan has yet to make a serious response and resolve the concerns of all parties.

Third, the International Atomic Energy Agency has never approved or approved the decision of Japan to discharge nuclear polluted water to the sea. At present, the International Atomic Energy Agency is preparing to set up relevant technical working groups and has confirmed that experts from China and South Korea will be invited to participate. China will fully support the relevant work and push Japan to respond to the concerns of stakeholders and the international community. Japan should earnestly show sincerity, take a highly responsible attitude towards international public interests, and handle relevant issues prudently in an open, transparent and scientific manner.

Fourth, the disposal of nuclear polluted water from the Fukushima nuclear power plant accident is not just a domestic problem in Japan. The relevant practices will have a serious impact on international public health and safety and the vital interests of the people of neighboring countries. China strongly urges Japan to rescind the wrong decision and not to start sea discharge without authorization until it has reached a consensus through consultation with various stakeholders including neighboring countries and relevant international institutions.