China severely criticized Japan's unilateral decision to release the nuclear-contaminated water and urged Japan to receive strict international supervision on Monday.

Li Song, permanent representative of China to the UN Office and other International Organizations in Vienna made remarks at IAEA September Board of Governors Meeting which convened from September 7-10 in Vienna, Austria.

Li stressed it's necessary for the IAEA to establish a long-term and effective international monitoring mechanism which is not controlled by Japan to oversee Tokyo Electric Power Company and the country.

Li said member states and the board should play a leading role in the establishment of relevant international monitoring mechanisms and conduct regular reviews over Japan's discharge and the monitoring mechanism.

He pointed out that the discharge of Fukushima nuclear-contaminated water into the sea is a major nuclear safety issue with long-term consequences which will affect countries worldwide. "It's by no means a private matter of Japan alone."

Li said Japan has the responsibility and obligation to release the nuclear-contaminated water in the most responsible, safest and most secure manner to avoid causing secondary harm to the marine environment and people around the world.