CHINA and Japan have reached a four-point agreement on the discharge of Fukushima nuclear-contaminated water, in which both sides agreed on Japan establishing a long-term international monitoring arrangement and allowing stakeholders including China to conduct independent sampling and monitoring.

According to the agreement, Japan commits to fulfilling its obligations under international law, doing its duty to avoid negative impact on human health and the environment, by conducting continuous evaluations of the marine environment and marine ecosystems.

Given the concerns of China and all other stakeholders, Japan welcomes the establishment of a long-term international monitoring arrangement within the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) framework covering key stages in the discharge of the nuclear-contaminated water, ensuring that China and all other stakeholders can carry out independent sampling and monitoring as well as inter-laboratory comparisons (ILCs), according to the agreement.

Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida said Friday that during his phone call with IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi, they agreed to involve third parties including China in the monitoring of the discharge of the Fukushima nuclear-contaminated water, The Japan Times reported.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said at a press conference Friday that on Aug. 24, 2023, the Japanese government unilaterally began discharging nuclear-contaminated water from the Fukushima plant, ignoring international questioning and opposition. As one of the most important stakeholders, China has consistently opposed this irresponsible move.

China held over 10 rounds of intensive talks with Japan and relevant international organizations, leading to Friday’s announced agreement, Mao noted.

The agreement released Friday also mentioned China’s suspension of imports of all aquatic products originating from Japan due to health concerns.

After China participates substantively in the long-term international monitoring within the IAEA framework, and the independent sampling and other monitoring activities by participating countries are carried out, China will gradually resume imports of Japanese aquatic products if they prove to meet regulatory standards, according to the agreement.

The Japanese government’s plan to dump nuclear-contaminated water will continue for at least 30 years.

To ensure that all measurement data is reliable and credible, it is crucial to achieve independent operations throughout the entire process, from sampling to measurement. China’s independent and long-term participation can help ensure the reliability of collected data, and provide oversight of Japan’s actions, said Luo Zhiping, a research fellow from China Institute of Atomic Energy, as quoted by the Global Times.

(SD-Agencies)