China, Japan reach ‘consensus’ on treated nuclear waste

Beijing and others had opposed release of radioactive water into sea from crippled Fukushima nuclear plant

By Riyaz ul Khaliq

ISTANBUL (AA) - China Friday said it reached a "consensus" with Japan on treated nuclear waste released by Tokyo into the seas from the crippled Fukushima nuclear plant.

"Japanese side has made it clear that it will earnestly fulfill its obligations under international law, make every effort to avoid negative impacts on people and the environment, and will continue to carry out impact assessments on the marine environment and marine ecology," the Foreign Ministry said in a statement.

Beijing had imposed a blanket ban on imports of seafood from Japan after Tokyo began releasing the radioactive water into the sea last year in August.

The consensus was reached after Japan agreed to allow third-party countries to join monitoring activities on the discharge of treated nuclear waste, it added.

However, Beijing said its "firm opposition" to the discharge of nuclear wastewater "has not changed."

China and other nations had strongly opposed Japan releasing the radioactive water into the sea.

Kaynak: