A Chinese envoy criticized Japan’s action, saying that it unilaterally launched the discharge of nuclear-contaminated water from the crippled Fukushima Power Plant into the Pacific Ocean.
At the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) board of governors meeting held in Vienna, the capital of Austria, Li Song, China’s permanent representative to the United Nations and other international organizations in Vienna, says the disposal of nuclear-contaminated water into the ocean has become a major issue concerning the global marine environment and public health and it is not a domestic affair of Japan.
According to Li, the Fukushima Nuclear accident that happened 12 years ago caused a serious disaster in Japan.
However, the country has the responsibility and obligation to dispose of nuclear-contaminated water in the most responsible, safe, and careful way to avoid causing secondary damage to the marine environment and humanity, adding that disposing of it at the sea is not the only option nor the most responsible.
Li also emphasized that Japan has not asked the UN’s nuclear watchdog, the IAEA to execute comprehensive disposal options other than dumping it into the sea, which it has rejected.
He said the IAEA’s statement cannot serve as a ‘pass’ for Japan and just dump nuclear-contaminated water into the ocean.
The Chinese envoy said the IAEA report cannot serve as a pass for Japan to go through with the discharge.
He underscored the importance for the IAEA to establish a long-term and effective international monitoring mechanism no longer controlled by Japan.
Li urged Tepco and the Japanese government to address the serious concerns of the international community.
Member states and the board of governors should also play a principal role in establishing relevant international monitoring mechanisms and carry out regular reviews of the issues and the mechanism itself.
