This photo taken on March 6, 2023 shows the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant in Futabacho, Futabagun of Fukushima Prefecture, Japan. Japanese government announced on August 22, 2023 that it has decided to start releasing nuclear-contaminated wastewater from the crippled Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant into the ocean on August 24. Photo: Xinhua

Triggered by Japan's decision to start dumping nuclear contaminated water from the Fukushima disaster into the ocean starting Thursday, shares related to aquatic products, food safety, nuclear pollution prevention and environmental protection experienced mixed reactions on the Chinese A-share market on Thursday morning.

Nuclear contamination prevention concept stocks took the lead with prices surging across the index.

Stocks of CEC Environmental Protection Co started at 6.35 yuan ($0.87) at Thursday opening, up 3.08 percent. Its share price at one point spiked by 18.99 percent during morning trading.

WPG (Shanghai) Smart Water Public Co hit its daily increase limit at 9:48 am. It also hit the daily share price increase limit previously on Wednesday.

However, the other 17 stocks on the nuclear contamination prevention sector plunged.

The aquaculture sector index opened 2 percent lower at 904.155 on Thursday and aquatic-related shares delivered a mixed performance during morning trading. Across the sector, 11 stocks plunged during Thursday morning trading, while six saw a rise in share prices.

Shares of CNFC Overseas Fisheries Co opened 3.19 percent lower, and then dropped 5.92 percent at the lowest. Zoneco Group Co saw its share price open 3.82 percent lower and once dropped 8.49 percent on Thursday morning trading.

Illustration: Liu Rui/GT

Shares of Zhanjiang Guolian Aquatic Products Co dropped 5 percent to 5.71 yuan at morning trading opening but then soared at the highest of 4.71 percent, while closing at 6.09 yuan. Shares of Baiyang Investment Group also opened 4.83 percent lower but then increased by 2.84 percent at the highest.

Dahu Aquaculture Co saw its shares soar to hit its daily limit for the second consecutive day.

Shares of salt producer Jiangxi Salt Industry Group opened 4.91 percent higher on Thursday, after having hit the daily increase limit for two consecutive days on Tuesday and Wednesday.

Jiangxi Salt Industry Group responded to investors on its interactive platform on Wednesday, saying that the company's salt products are mine salt, and the brine essence comes from underground, and are not impacted by pollution. The company is a main supplier of salt products in southern China.

Global Times