Japanese Deputy Prime Minister Taro Aso claimed on April 13 that treated radioactive water stored in the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant is "OK to drink."

His remark came after the country's government announced that it would start releasing treated radioactive water from the wrecked nuclear plant into the Pacific Ocean in two years.

On April 14, China's Foreign Ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian responded, "As for the individual Japanese official's remarks that the water is okay to drink, why doesn't he take a sip first?"

Aso repeated his claim at a press conference on April 16, but failed to respond to Zhao's question.