Mao Ning profile photo Photo: official website of the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs

 
Japan is urged to respond to the concerns of the international community over its dumping of the Fukushima nuclear-contaminated water into the ocean with a serious and responsible attitude and dispose of the nuclear-contaminated water in a responsible manner, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said at a press conference on Thursday. 

During Chinese President Xi Jinping's meeting with Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida in the US, the leaders of the two countries exchanged views on the issue of Japan's continued dumping of contaminated water from the Fukushima nuclear power plant into the sea, Mao said. 

President Xi pointed out that the issue concerns human health, global marine environment, and international public interests. Japan should take the concerns of the international community seriously and handle the issue responsibly and constructively. Both sides also agreed to find a suitable solution to the issue through constructive consultation and negotiation, according to the spokesperson. 

As more and more contaminated water from the Fukushima plant is released into the ocean, the international community is urgently demanding the establishment of a long-term and effective international monitoring arrangement, Mao said. 

Japan should also fully cooperate in establishing a substantive and long-term effective international monitoring arrangement with the participation of Japan's neighboring countries and other relevant parties, and prevent irreversible consequences caused by the dumping of the nuclear-contaminated water into the sea, Mao said.