China has condemned both Japan’s plan to release nuclear-contaminated wastewater into the Pacific, and their Western allies for remaining mum on this serious matter.
Chinese ambassador to Fiji Zhou Jian has called on governments, media, and NGOs to speak up.
“The earth is in danger! The ocean is in danger!” he said.
“Where is the so-called ‘rules-based international order’ claimed by them? Where are their conscience and responsibility?
“The Pacific is not Japan’s sewer for discharging its nuclear-contaminated water. At present, the international community should jointly urge Japan to faithfully fulfil its international obligations.”
He called on Japan to face up to the legitimate concerns of all parties and stop forcing the plan to discharge nuclear-contaminated water into the sea, when they had the means and resources to keep the wastewater in their own country.
Additionally, he said any disposal of nuclear-contaminated water needed to be done in an open, transparent, scientific and safe manner, which included a thorough examination of alternative disposal options other than ocean discharge, and one which was subject to strict international supervision.
“Before reaching an agreement with stakeholders such as PIFS, Japan’s neighbours, and relevant international agencies, Japan must not initiate the discharge without authorisation.
“On this issue, I hope that the Fijian Government, media, and scholars who hold the same position will speak out together and say ‘no’ to this behaviour that endangers the safety of human generations. There is not much time left for us to speak out.”
Mr Jian also said if countries turned a blind eye to Japan’s behaviour and “let it go” at this critical moment, many of the resources enjoyed now would no longer be possible in the future.
“This action will endanger the safety of the global marine ecological environment and endanger the lives and health of all people around the world.”
