China Hints at Possibility of Joining IAEA Fukushima Contaminated Water Inspection Team

"We Will Fully Support the Follow-up Work of the IAEA"

Fukushima Nuclear Power Plant View [Image Source=EPA Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Suhwan] The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) is expected to request China's participation in the investigation team for the discharge of contaminated water from the Fukushima nuclear power plant in Japan. It is also reported that China is positively considering joining the investigation team.

According to the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs on the 27th, spokesperson Wang Wenbin proposed the prompt establishment of a technical working group including stakeholders such as China to evaluate and oversee Japan's contaminated water treatment plan to the IAEA the day before.

Wang added, "The IAEA is actively forming the technical working group and has recently confirmed that it will request the participation of Chinese experts."

Wang also stated, "China is maintaining close communication with the IAEA and will fully support the IAEA's follow-up work."

Earlier, after the Japanese government announced on the 13th that it would discharge contaminated water stored at the Fukushima nuclear power plant into the sea starting in 2023, critical voices emerged internationally, including toward the IAEA, which supported the discharge. In response, Rafael Mariano Grossi, Director General of the IAEA, stated that the safety of the contaminated water discharge issue would be reviewed and that the establishment of an international investigation team to monitor the discharge process of Japan's nuclear power plant contaminated water is under consideration. The IAEA expressed hope that Korean experts would directly participate in this investigation team.

Following this, the announcement from the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs on the same day confirmed that the IAEA plans to also request China's participation in the international investigation team.

Meanwhile, at a briefing on the 26th, spokesperson Wang criticized Japan's decision to discharge contaminated water into the ocean as "irresponsible," emphasizing that "Japan must address the concerns of stakeholders such as China and the international community before discharging the contaminated water."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.