Taiyuan Energy Low Carbon Development Forum 2023 Photo: Xinhua News Agency

Kiribati Vice President Teuea Toatu expressed serious concern and disappointment on Wednesday regarding Japan's dumping of nuclear-contaminated wastewater into the ocean, according to China Energy News.

Toatu made these remarks in a speech during his attendance at the opening ceremony of the Taiyuan Energy Low Carbon Development Forum 2023, which began on Wednesday in Taiyuan, North China's Shanxi Province.

As a country consisting of small islands scattered across the wide ocean, the sea is the primary source of livelihood and income for Kiribati, stated the vice president.

Toatu expressed, on behalf of his own country and the Pacific Community as a whole, his serious concern and disappointment regarding Japan's recent action of discharging nuclear-contaminated wastewater into the Pacific Ocean.

Toatu pointed out that despite the Japanese government and its allies' assurances that this dumping plan will not pose a threat to the health of the oceans, no one can guarantee that this situation will continue indefinitely.

Japan began releasing nuclear-contaminated wastewater from the crippled Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant into the Pacific Ocean on August 24, disregarding public concerns and strong opposition from the international community.

The reckless action by the Japanese government has hindered the Pacific island countries from fulfilling their commitment to promote and protect ocean health under the 2050 Strategy for the Blue Pacific Continent, he said.

Toatu also expressed gratitude to China for its assistance to Kiribati in various sectors such as health, education, poverty alleviation, and infrastructure development. He noted that Kiribati heavily relies on development partners to help achieve its development vision, with China being the largest contributor to Kiribati's development plans.