China
2023.06.09 22:19 GMT+8

China slams Japan again over Fukushima water discharge plan

Updated 2023.06.09 22:37 GMT+8
CGTN

The Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant in Futabacho, Futabagun of Fukushima Prefecture, Japan, March 6, 2023. /Xinhua

A Chinese envoy lambasted Japan again over its plan to discharge radioactive wastewater from the crippled Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant into the ocean, noting that this irresponsible act will endanger the global marine environment and public health, China Media Group reported on Friday.

Li Song, China's permanent representative to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) made the remarks at a meeting of the IAEA, and urged Japan to take its due international obligations and face up to the legitimate concerns of the international community with a scientific and prudent attitude.

The radioactive elements in the marine fish caught in the harbor of the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant far exceed safety levels for human consumption, according to a report issued by the plant's operator Tokyo Electric Power Company (TEPCO) on Monday, Li said.

In particular, the data released show that the content of Cs-137, a radioactive element that is a common byproduct in nuclear reactors, is 180 times that of the standard maximum stipulated in Japan's food safety law, he noted, adding that the sampled black rockfish contains the radioactive element Cs-137 with a content of 18,000 becquerels per kilogram.

Japan claims that ALPS-treated nuclear-contaminated water is safe and harmless. However, the fact is, the nuclear-contaminated water contains over 60 radionuclides, Li said, adding that 70 percent of ALPS-treated nuclear-contaminated water failed to meet the standards according to data released by Japan.

It is "extremely irresponsible" for Japan to arbitrarily proceed with its nuclear-contaminated water discharge plan, the envoy said, noting local fishermen are also still against the discharge plan.

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Opposition continues as Japan set to discharge nuclear-contaminated water

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