中 "If Fukushima Contaminated Water Is Safe, Why Can't We Drink It?"

The Fukushima nuclear power plant site in Japan where the meltdown occurred in 2011.
[Image source=EPA Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Chun-hee] China strongly criticized the Japanese government's decision to discharge contaminated water from the Fukushima nuclear power plant into the ocean, saying, "If it is safe, why can't we drink it?"

Zhao Lijian, spokesperson for the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, stated at a regular briefing on the 27th that Health and Welfare Minister Kwon Deok-cheol's opposition to the Fukushima nuclear power plant contaminated water discharge decision at the World Health Assembly (WHA) means "Japan's so-called 'safety' unilaterally declared does not inspire trust in the international community," and pointed out that "Japan's wrong decision will face opposition from more countries."

Spokesperson Zhao also criticized, "Has Japan's contaminated water treatment method been certified as safe?" and "Some Japanese politicians say it is okay to drink the contaminated water, so why don't they drink it themselves to prove its safety?"

He further stated that the international community is opposing Japan's decision and publicly questioned, "When exactly will Japan retract its wrong decision?"

Zhao said, "The issue of contaminated water treatment concerns the global ecological environment as well as the lives of people in various countries, so Japan must accept the opinions of neighboring countries," and added, "Evaluation and discussion should be conducted within the scope of the United Nations (UN), the World Health Organization (WHO), and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)."

Earlier, on the 25th (local time), Minister Kwon Deok-cheol of the Ministry of Health and Welfare said at the WHA held via video conference that regarding Japan's decision to discharge contaminated water from the Fukushima nuclear power plant, "We hope for transparent information disclosure and want to emphasize that, considering this unprecedented issue, the ocean discharge of nuclear power plant contaminated water should not be carried out without sufficient prior consultation with the stakeholders."

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