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China may take further action in response to Japan's decision to release radioactive water from the Fukushima nuclear plant.
Discharge of contaminated Fukushima water harmful, says China
The decision to release the radioactive water was formalised by Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga after a meeting with his ministers on Apr. 13.
Following that, Japan's neighbours, including China and South Korea have expressed their opposition.
The Chinese foreign ministry expressed grave concern against Japan's decision in a statement released on Apr. 13, "as a close neighbour and stakeholder".
The statement said that a review report by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) had pointed out that the dumping of contaminated water from the nuclear plant into the sea could affect the marine environment and people's health in neighbouring countries.
The treated wastewater needs to be further purified to remove other radionuclides, the report added.
The Chinese foreign ministry further pointed out that Greenpeace nuclear experts cautioned that the level of the radioactive isotope carbon-14 in the wastewater has the potential to affect human DNA, and will remain hazardous for thousands of years.
Reserves right to "make further reactions"
The ministry's spokesperson, Zhao Lijian criticised the decision, calling it "highly irresponsible", warning that it will "severely affect human health and the immediate interests of people in neighbouring countries".
He urged Japan to "face up to its responsibility" and "follow the science" as well.
"China will continue to watch closely the developments of the matter together with the international community and reserves the right to make further reactions," Zhao said.
Taiwan and South Korea have also expressed their concern over the Japanese government's decision to discharge contaminated water from the Fukushima nuclear plant within the next two years.
Fukushima water poses no safety concerns, Japan says
According to Kyodo News, the Japanese government has determined that the water poses no safety concerns.
Suga said, as reported by The Guardian, that releasing the contaminated water into the sea was the "most realistic" option.
He explained that it is necessary to decommission the nuclear plant and reconstruct the Fukushima area since it was hit by the earthquake and tsunami in 2011.
The first release of the contaminated water will take place in about two years, and the entire disposal process will take about 30 years to complete.
Top image via Getty Images, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of China