People rally to protest against the Japanese government's decision to discharge contaminated radioactive wastewater in Fukushima Prefecture into the sea, in Tokyo, capital of Japan, April 13, 2021.(Photo: Xinhua)

China is very concerned about Japan's latest decision to dump nuclear wastewater into the Pacific Ocean, and will closely monitor and assess its threat to aquatic produce to ensure the safety of Chinese consumers, Gao Feng, spokesperson of the Ministry of Commerce, said on Thursday.

The comment came after Japan's decision to dump radioactive water from its disaster-stricken nuclear complex in Fukushima Prefecture into the ocean, which has drawn fierce opposition from neighboring countries and regions.

Regardless of opposition at home and abroad, the Japanese government, which has not fully negotiated with its neighboring countries or the international community, decided to dump nuclear power plant wastewater, which has caused strong concern from the international community, Gao added. 

China and South Korea on Wednesday expressed firm opposition to Japan's decision to dump nuclear wastewater into the sea, at the first meeting of China-South Korea dialogue on maritime affairs mechanism held via video link. 

The two countries urged Japan to consult international organizations and neighboring countries, and carefully deal with the wastewater issue.

The Russian Foreign Ministry also expressed its great concern over the issue in a statement on its website Tuesday. It urged Japan to be transparent and to inform relevant countries about the radiation threats. Russia hopes Japan will further explain its decision and allow external monitoring of the radiation, according to the statement.

Concerns over food safety are rising among China's seafood consumers. Although Japan's plan is to dump the wastewater two years from now, seafood framers are very worried about the adverse effects on their future businesses. 

Chinese experts said more countries and regions will raise concerns and strong opposition in the future toward the Japanese government, whose ill decision will likely produce disastrous consequences on agricultural and fishery products, as well as local employment -- fishermen in particular.

A report on world fisheries and aquaculture in 2020 showed that apart from China, which accounts for 14 percent of global fishery output, countries including Vietnam, Chile, Thailand, the US, and Canada may all be affected by Japan's nuclear sewage.