China's Support for Japan's Nuclear Wastewater Discharge Undermines Special Envoy Kerry's Visit Purpose

Support for Japan's Contaminated Water Discharge Shows US Selfishness
Chinese Foreign Ministry Strongly Opposes, "The Pacific Ocean Is Not Japan's Sewer"

[Asia Economy Beijing=Special Correspondent Jo Young-shin] Chinese media reported that the purpose of John Kerry, the US climate envoy's visit to China, was overshadowed by Japan's decision to discharge contaminated water from its nuclear power plant. This is interpreted as a report reflecting the US's de facto support for the Japanese government's decision to release contaminated water.

State-run media such as Global Times and Pengpai reported that Special Envoy Kerry is scheduled to exchange views with Xie Zhenhua, China's climate change envoy, from the 15th to the 16th on China-US climate change cooperation and the 26th session of the United Nations (UN) Framework Convention on Climate Change.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Global Times reported that Kerry visited China at a sensitive time when China and South Korea are angered by Japan's decision to discharge contaminated water. The media especially explained that there are also strong voices of criticism in China and South Korea against the US for tolerating Japan's decision to release contaminated water.

Li Haidong, a professor at the Institute of International Relations at the China Foreign Affairs University, criticized, "Japan's decision to discharge contaminated water will darken Kerry's visit to Asia," adding, "The US has shown a selfish stance in its Asia-Pacific policy through this decision." He further pointed out, "The US prioritized narrow strategic interests over the interests of the people in this region as well as human health and safety," and "If it does not show that climate and environmental issues are more important than geopolitical issues, concrete climate cooperation with China will be difficult."

He also predicted that the possibility of easing tensions between China and the US through Kerry's visit is low. Professor Li said, "Considering the current political situation in the US, it will be difficult to change bilateral relations through climate change cooperation," but added, "However, face-to-face negotiations on practical issues are better than having no contact at all."

The Chinese nuclear power industry also showed sensitive reactions, expressing concerns about Japan's decision to discharge contaminated water.

Officials from the Chinese nuclear power industry unanimously criticized Japan's discharge of contaminated water at the 'China Nuclear Sustainability Forum' held in Beijing the day before. They said, "Wastewater generation and treatment at nuclear power plants are normal, but the discharge of contaminated water, which recorded the highest levels after the nuclear accident, is completely different from the wastewater discharge of normally operating nuclear power plants," and evaluated, "Fukushima nuclear power plant's contaminated water still contains radioactive materials that cannot be removed."

Gui Liming, a nuclear safety expert at Tsinghua University, said, "The seawater used to cool the reactor during the 2011 Fukushima nuclear accident was directly exposed to nuclear fuel, resulting in a severe density and amount of radioactive materials," adding, "Only by thoroughly repeating the dilution process will almost no radioactive materials remain."

Officials from the Chinese nuclear power industry suggested that China should start a long-term monitoring project by cooperating with neighboring countries to increase environmental monitoring facilities across coastal waters and investigate the impact of Japan's nuclear power plant contaminated water discharge on the marine environment.

Zhao Lijian, spokesperson for the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, warned the day before, "The Pacific Ocean is not Japan's sewer," and said, "Japan should not make the whole world bear the damage."