VIENNA, Sept. 20 (Xinhua) -- The head of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) said on Friday that he welcomed a latest agreement reached by China and Japan on the discharge of nuclear-contaminated water from the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant into the ocean and praised China's "constructive approach" in achieving the progress.
IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi told Xinhua in an exclusive interview that China has played a "decisive role" in attaining the latest positive progress.
The Japanese government unilaterally started discharging nuclear-contaminated water from the Fukushima nuclear power plant in August 2023. The IAEA has been monitoring the implementation of Japan's water discharge plan. China, as one of the most important stakeholders, is firmly opposed to Japan's irresponsible move and has urged Japan to seriously address concerns in and outside Japan, to earnestly fulfill its obligations, and to give full cooperation in the establishment of an independent and effective long-term international monitoring arrangement in which stakeholders can participate substantively.
China announced on Friday that the competent departments of China and Japan had reached an agreement on the Fukushima nuclear-contaminated water discharge after recent consultations. The agreement said that, among other things, Japan welcomes the establishment of a long-term international monitoring arrangement within the IAEA framework covering key stages in the discharge of the nuclear-contaminated water, and will ensure that China and all other stakeholders can participate substantively in the arrangement and that these participating countries can carry out independent sampling and monitoring as well as inter-laboratory comparisons.
"China expressed concerns, doubts and also desire to see an increased level of participation in this process (Fukushima water discharge)," which led to "important consultations, complex discussions on technical matters," Grossi told Xinhua. "This has brought us to today's very important announcement of this agreement between China and Japan," which will be implemented within the framework of the IAEA's ongoing operation in Japan.
Grossi said in a statement on the same day that the IAEA will coordinate with Japan and other stakeholders, including China, to ensure that the additional measures are implemented appropriately under the agency's framework, maintaining the integrity of the process with full transparency to ensure that water discharge levels are in strict compliance and consistent with international safety standards.
The IAEA chief told Xinhua that the agency will serve as the "bridge" to facilitate the implementation of the China-Japan bilateral agreement, such as by inviting more experts from China and other countries to join the IAEA expert team in Fukushima to conduct independent monitoring work to ensure wider participation and technical transparency.
During the interview, Grossi also commended China's "impressive" achievement in developing nuclear energy and nuclear technologies as this year marks the 40th anniversary of China's accession to the IAEA.
Noting the "very important" relationship and deep cooperation between the IAEA and China, Grossi said he looks forward to even closer collaboration with China.