BEIJING – In a recent development, China announced on Friday that it has reached a consensus with Japan regarding the management of treated nuclear waste from the Fukushima nuclear plant, which has been a point of contention since Japan began discharging the radioactive water into the sea last August.
According to Philippines News Agency, the Chinese Foreign Ministry released a statement detailing the terms of the consensus, which includes Japan’s commitment to adhere strictly to international law, mitigate negative environmental impacts, and continue comprehensive assessments of the marine environment and ecology. “Japanese side has made it clear that it will earnestly fulfill its obligations under international law, make every effort to avoid negative impacts on people and the environment, and will continue to carry out impact assessments on the marine environment and marine ecology,” the statement said.
The breakthrough came after Japan agreed to involve third-party countries in monitoring the discharge process, a move that aims to enhance transparency and reassure neighboring countries concerned about potential environmental and health impacts. This agreement comes after Beijing had imposed a comprehensive ban on Japanese seafood imports in response to the initial discharges of radioactive water.
Despite the reached consensus, the Chinese government reiterated its firm opposition to the discharge of nuclear wastewater, emphasizing that its stance on the matter “has not changed.” The issue has been a focal point of regional tension, with China and other countries voicing strong objections to Japan’s decision to release the treated water into the ocean.
This consensus marks a significant step in diplomatic negotiations between China and Japan, potentially paving the way for more collaborative efforts to address environmental concerns associated with the Fukushima aftermath.