Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Mao Ning Photo: Ministry of Foreign Affairs

In response to media report suggesting that the Chinese government is considering resuming imports of Japanese seafood in the first half of 2025, and having apparently concluded that water samples from the sea near the Fukushima nuclear plant are safe, China's Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Mao Ning said on Tuesday that China's position in opposing Japan's discharge of Fukushima nuclear-contaminated water into the ocean remains unchanged. 

Regarding the water samples mentioned, Mao added, I am not sure whether the testing was conducted by Japan's Tokyo Electric Power Company itself. The results of one or two tests may not be able to fully explain the problem. The key lies in Japan's fulfilling commitment to enabling continuous international monitoring and independent sampling by stakeholder countries, including China, Mao noted. 

After actively participating in long-term international monitoring and conducting activities such as independent sampling, China will, based on scientific evidence, begin adjusting relevant measures and gradually resume imports of Japanese aquatic products that meet regulatory standards, Mao stated.

Global Times