CCTV: We noticed that earlier today, the Foreign Ministry released on its website an agreement between China and Japan on the ocean discharge of nuclear-contaminated water from Fukushima. Can you share more information on that?
Mao Ning: On August 24, 2023, the Japanese government, disregarding the serious doubts and strong opposition from the international community, unilaterally started the discharge of nuclear-contaminated water from the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station into the ocean. As one of the most important stakeholders, China is opposed to this irresponsible move. In line with the understanding reached by the leaders of the two countries that the issue should be addressed through consultation and negotiation, China has held over 10 rounds of intensive negotiations and consultations with Japan and the relevant international organization. The relentless efforts have led to the agreement released today. Let me stress a few points.
First, China is firmly opposed to Japan’s unilateral move of starting the discharge. This position remains unchanged. The purpose of releasing the agreement with Japan is to urge Japan to earnestly fulfill its obligations under international law and its responsibility for safety oversight, to do its utmost to avoid leaving negative impact on the environment and human health, and to effectively prevent the potential risk that may arise from the discharge. We hope the international community, especially the stakeholders, will work with China to closely monitor Japan’s fulfillment of its commitments.
Second, due to the limitations of the existing international mechanism, the current evaluation and monitoring of the discharge is incomplete and lacks transparency and credibility, and needs to be further improved and strengthened. It is especially important to establish a long-term international monitoring arrangement covering key stages of the discharge and ensure that China and all other stakeholders can participate substantively in the arrangement and carry out independent sampling and monitoring. This is the only way to obtain comprehensive, genuine and valid data and place the risks of the discharge under control. Through negotiations, China and Japan have reached agreement in this regard. As the next step, there will be discussions on technical details such as the types of radionuclides to be monitored and testing methods, to realize comprehensive, effective and credible long-term international monitoring.
Third, how to handle the Fukushima nuclear-contaminated water properly is a political and, more importantly, scientific issue. The China-Japan bilateral agreement has laid the foundation for the international community to handle nuclear-contaminated water in a science-based, effective and safe manner. This is an initial achievement made by the international community, especially the stakeholders. Going forward, China will work with the international community, other stakeholders in particular, to continue to act with a great sense of responsibility for global marine ecosystems and environment and for human health, engage in science-based dialogue with Japan, and urge Japan to address concerns over the discharge properly.
Fourth, the import suspension on all aquatic products (including edible aquatic animals) of Japanese origin is a temporary emergency precaution taken in accordance with relevant Chinese laws and regulations and WTO rules. It is aimed at preventing risks and protecting people’s health. The measure is based on rules and regulations. It is an example of the Chinese government’s sense of responsibility for its people. Reaching the agreement does not mean that China will immediately resume imports of all Japanese aquatic products. China will continue to act in accordance with WTO rules and Chinese laws and regulations, take scientific facts as the guidance, and view safety as a precondition. We will begin to adjust the relevant measures based on scientific evidence after participating substantively in the relevant monitoring activities, carrying out independent sampling, and verifying the result. We will hold technical consultations with Japan and, after China’s demands are fully addressed, gradually resume imports of Japanese aquatic products that meet the regulation requirements and standards. The consultation results and policy adjustments will be made public in a timely way.
Xinhua News Agency: On September 21, 2021, President Xi Jinping put forward the Global Development Initiative (GDI) at the General Debate of the 76th Session of the United Nations General Assembly. Over the past three years, the GDI has been widely welcomed by the international community and has benefited the world, especially the Global South. At the recently held 2024 Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation, various parties applauded the GDI, noting that it would provide impetus for development for the Global South, including Africa. What’s your comment? Can you share more about the implementation of the GDI and plan for the future?
Mao Ning: Over the past three years, the Global Development Initiative (GDI) has attracted an increasing number of partners and made remarkable achievements. Over 100 countries and some international organizations, including the UN, have given support to or taken part in the initiative. More than 80 countries have joined the Group of Friends of the GDI. China has set up a Global Development and South-South Cooperation Fund, which has financed over 150 programs. The Global Development Promotion Center Network is bringing more members on board.
The GDI was put forward by China, but its opportunities and benefits are shared by the world. On the path toward development and prosperity, no country or individual should be left behind. This is the vision of the GDI, as well as the goal advocated by the UN. During the upcoming General Debate of the United Nations General Assembly, Foreign Minister Wang Yi will attend the “GDI Support for the Global South—We Are in Action” event to explore development cooperation with various parties and draw support for development and prosperity of the Global South.
We will deepen cooperation on the GDI with various parties, continue to share development opportunities of Chinese modernization, and accelerate the implementation of the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, so as to realize common development.
Bloomberg: A question on the Fukushima agreement with Japan. First question is, does this mean you will be joining the monitoring effort that Japan and the IAEA have already had in place? Or will this be a completely new monitoring effort that will be implemented from now? My second question is, you mentioned the international community can also join in the monitoring efforts. Are there any other countries that are gonna participate in the monitoring going forward? Or is it just gonna be Japan and China and the IAEA?
Mao Ning: On your first question, the IAEA more than once said they support enhancing monitoring of the release of Fukushima nuclear-contaminated water, and support China and Japan in holding consultation and reaching an agreement. We maintain necessary communication with the IAEA.
On your second question, China believes that the long-term international monitoring over the ocean discharge needs to be open and transparent. When holding consultation with China on the agreement, Japan has shown an open attitude to the participation of other countries. Based on the agreement between China and Japan, China and all other stakeholders will ensure the impartiality and effectiveness of the long-term international monitoring by participating in the formulation of sampling and monitoring plans, carrying out independent sampling of the nuclear-contaminated water and other means.
Beijing Daily: This year marks the 19th anniversary of the Joint Statement of the Fourth Round of the Six-Party Talks. The situation on the Korean Peninsula has changed much over the past 19 years. How does China view the current situation and do you have any suggestions to relevant parties of the Korean Peninsula affairs?
Mao Ning: The Joint Statement of the Fourth Round of the Six-Party Talks is the result of concerted effort of relevant parties. It has played an important role in stabilizing the situation and easing tensions. Upholding peace and stability on the Peninsula and promoting the political settlement of the Peninsula issue serves the common interests of all parties and meets the extensive aspiration of the international community. Amid ongoing tensions on the Korean Peninsula, we hope relevant parties will head toward the same direction, keep to the major objective of political settlement, and play a constructive role in realizing sustained security on the Korean Peninsula and the Northeast Asia region.
Bloomberg: On the murder in Shenzhen on Wednesday. Sun Weidong, the Vice Foreign Minister had a call with the Japanese Ambassador yesterday in which he told the Japanese Ambassador that the incident was an individual incident committed by someone who has a criminal record. The Japanese government then released a statement to that effect. However, that doesn’t speak to the motive of the person who committed this act. And according to the email I received this morning from the Japanese Embassy, they continue to ask or strongly request that the Chinese side release the details of the incident, including all the background information, indicating that so far China has not told the Japanese anything to do with the motives or the motivations of the person who committed this act. Can you tell us anything now about the motives of the murderer in this case, considering he’s now been in custody for more than two days?
Mao Ning: There is ongoing communication between China and Japan on this incident. Yesterday, Vice Foreign Minister Sun Weidong shared relevant information with Japanese Ambassador to China Kenji Kanasugi in their phone call. I noted that Shenzhen authorities also provided much information. From what I know, competent Chinese authorities are investigating and handling the case. If you hope to know more about the progress, including the motive, I’d refer you to competent Chinese authorities.
Nikkei: I want to ask about the incident of Japanese mother and child and a Chinese woman being attacked in Suzhou in June. Yesterday the spokesperson said the case is still under investigation. Could you share the progress since June? Japanese nationals living in China are closely following the two cases in Shenzhen and Suzhou. Will China make public the motive and background of the perpetrators and details of the cases after the investigation is concluded?
Mao Ning: As I’ve learned, competent Chinese authorities are investigating and handling the cases and will proceed to the following judicial procedure in due course. I have no information at the moment about the progress and other details you are interested in. I’d refer you to competent Chinese authorities.
NHK: The release of the agreement between China and Japan was timed just after the incident in which a Japanese boy in Shenzhen was attacked. Is there any connection between the two matters?
Mao Ning: The content of the agreement and the release time were decided by China and Japan after intensive consultation. On the individual case of the attack of the boy in Shenzhen, we’ve made clear China’s position over the past days. There is no connection between the two matters.
Bloomberg: I contacted the Shenzhen public security authorities yesterday to ask about the motives, but they refused to give me any answer to that question. Yesterday Sun Weidong spoke to the Japanese Ambassador and released details of the case, including the fact that the perpetrator has a criminal record. So clearly when speaking to the Japanese government, the competent authorities are the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. And yet now when I asked a question about it, you told me to speak to the competent authorities. So I repeat my question because obviously the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is the competent or the relevant authorities. What is the motive of the attacker? And why were you not releasing any information to us?
Mao Ning: This case is under investigation and being handled by the public security authorities. This means the process is still ongoing and there has been no conclusion at the moment. The foreign affairs authorities of China and Japan maintain communication. This is necessary and normal. As for your questions, competent authorities can provide more authoritative information.
Kyodo News: Shenzhen media reported today that the incident related to the Shenzhen Japanese School is an isolated and individual case. What’s China’s comment?
Mao Ning: I noted the media reports and the information released by the authorities of Shenzhen. I believe there must be basis for what they said.
NHK: Following up on the incident in Shenzhen. What the Japanese side wants to know most is whether the criminal specifically targeted Japanese people. What’s the Foreign Ministry’s view?
Mao Ning: I understand the concerns of the Japanese side and the Japanese people in China over this issue. But let me explain that the suspect has been put under criminal detention by public security authorities. As for his motive, thorough investigation is needed to pin it down. I have no relevant information at the moment.
Bloomberg: I don’t understand how you can say that this is an individual case when you don’t have information on the motive. You say you don’t know the motive but then tell us that this is an individual case. Can you explain how those two things can be true at the same time?
Mao Ning: Aside from the motive of the suspect, many other factors are involved to assess whether a case is an individual one. According to what we know so far, this is an individual case. But for more details, we have to wait for the results of the investigation.
AFP: China said today that it will gradually resume imports of Japanese aquatic products. It’s reported that Russia will continue the ban on the import of Japanese aquatic products. What’s China’s comment?
Mao Ning: I think the Russian side is in a better position to answer this question.
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