China’s position on Fukushima water release motivated by ‘public health, interests of future generations’ – MOFA spox

« China’s position on the disposal of treated radioactive water was motivated by ‘global marine ecological environment, public health, and the interests of future generations,’ Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said in Beijing on Thursday.
« Premier Li Qiang clarified China’s position on the issue of nuclear contaminated water discharge from Fukushima, Japan, during his conversation and speech at the meeting. He stated that the disposal of nuclear contaminated water is related to the global marine ecological environment, public health, and the interests of future generations,” the spokesperson stated.
Her comments come days after China has reportedly declined to join the International Atomic Energy Agency’s system under which countries except of Japan can analyse the results of the water quality off Fukushima. Japan’s Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and China’s Li Qiang met on the sidelines of the 18th ASEAN Summit in Jakarta and Kishida urged China to end its import ban of Japanese sea food, which Beijing staunchly upholds calling the water released from the Fukushuma plant ‘nuclear-contaminated’.
Mao Ning continued to announce that over 90 countries had signed up for the Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation (BRF) , which will be held in Beijing this October.
“Up to now, more than 90 countries’ representatives have confirmed their participation, including leaders, ministers, and other official representatives of the ‘the Belt and Road’ partner countries, as well as businessmen, think tanks, and civil society who actively support and participate in the ‘the Belt and Road’ cooperation, and heads and representatives of many international organisations have confirmed their participation,” Mao said.
When asked about Russia’s defence minister Sergei Shoigu’s comments that joint military drills with the DPRK would not be out of the question, the spokesperson refused to comment, stating ‘I’m not aware of what you just mentioned’.
She also confirmed that Chinese Vice Premier Liu Guozhong will visit North Korea to take part in the celebration of the country’s founding day later this week. »



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