Madam Chair,
The issue of disposal of contaminated water of the Fukushima nuclear power plant is not a private issue for the one country of Japan; it is a major international subject that concerns the vital interests of the neighboring countries and global ocean environment.
In April this year, the Japanese government unilaterally decided to release the Fukushima nuclear contaminated water into the ocean. Countries along the coast of the Pacific Ocean-China, Russia, the Republic of Korea, Central America and the South Pacific Island countries all expressed concern and opposition. Unfortunately, the Japanese side totally ignores the legitimate concerns of various parties and persisted in advancing its technical and policy preparations for the release of the nuclear contaminated water. Not long ago, the Japanese side announced to the outside world that it would release the nuclear contaminated water by way of the ocean floor tunnel. This act of the Japanese side is an attempt to impose its erroneous decision onto the international community. This is totally unacceptable. China urges Japan to seriously respond to the calls of the international community, the neighboring countries and its own nationals and fulfill in good faith its due international obligations by withdrawing the wrong decision of releasing the nuclear contaminated water into the sea and ceasing all the preparatory work for such release. Pending the consultations and reaching of an agreement with the stakeholders of the neighboring countries and the IAEA, Japan shall not start releasing nuclear contaminated water on its own.
Madam Chair,
China supports the IAEA in playing a role on the issue of Japanese disposal of the nuclear contaminated water in accordance with the mandate. We hope that the special Taskforce established by the Agency for this purpose will conduct work seriously on the basis of consensus principle and make reviews, monitoring and verification before, during and after Japan's disposal of the nuclear contaminated water to ensure the disposal of the nuclear contaminated water is absolutely safe. The Japanese side should fully cooperate with the IAEA with regard to the review and consultation on all the possible disposal options related to the disposal of the nuclear contaminated water, and accept the monitoring and verification of the Agency on issues that include the accuracy of data, effectiveness of disposal means, etc.. We also hope that the Agency Secretariat will strengthen communications with all stakeholders.
Oceans are the common heritage of mankind and the protection of ocean environment is the common responsibility of the international community. The international community must keep a close watch on the issue of Japan's disposal of the Fukushima nuclear contaminated water and calls upon Japan to act in a responsible manner. China will continue to follow closely the development of the situation and reserve the right to make further responses.
Thank you, Madam Chair.