Q: On October 5, TEPCO announced that it has begun the second round of ocean discharge of the Fukushima nuclear-contaminated water on this day and plans to release 7,800 tons of the water over 17 days. What’s your comment? 

A: China’s position on Japan’s ocean discharge is consistent and clear. We firmly oppose this unilateral move by Japan.

I wish to reiterate that the ocean belongs to all humanity. The Japanese government needs to respond to all the concerns of the international community, have full, sincere communication with neighboring countries and dispose of the nuclear-contaminated water in a responsible way. The international community needs to push for an international monitoring arrangement that will stay effective for the long haul and ensure that Japan’s neighboring countries and other stakeholders can participate substantively in the arrangement.