China’s Minister of Ecology and Environment mentions “responsibility” to Ambassador Kanasugi
Hong Kong SCMP predicts that conflict between the two countries will continue
China has repeatedly demanded that the Japanese ambassador take responsibility for the issue of contaminated water (Japanese name: treated water) from the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant. Accordingly, predictions were raised that the conflict between China and Japan, which have taken a hard-line stance on the issue of contaminated water treatment, will continue.
According to China’s Ministry of Ecology and Environment on the 21st, Minister of Ecology and Environment Huang Runqiu had a meeting with Japanese Ambassador to China Kenji Kanasugi in Beijing the previous day and exchanged opinions on future environmental cooperation between the two countries and mutual human resource exchanges.
During the meeting, Director Hwang introduced China’s ecological environment protection measures and results and expressed hope for jointly promoting green and low-carbon cooperation between the two countries.
However, with regard to contaminated water from Japan’s nuclear power plants, he emphasized that “Japan must handle nuclear contaminated water in a responsible manner and fully cooperate in establishing long-term and effective international monitoring arrangements with the practical participation of Japan’s neighboring countries and stakeholders.”
In response, Ambassador Kanasugi responded, “We are willing to further deepen and expand environmental cooperation with China and cooperate to address global challenges,” the Ministry of Ecology and Environment reported.
China has expressed a strong stance against Japan’s discharge of contaminated water into the ocean, and has completely banned the import of marine products from Japan following the discharge. Meanwhile, there are predictions that the conflict related to contaminated water will continue for the time being, as the relevant ministries are demanding responsibility for the new Japanese ambassador who took office last month.
Hong Kong’s South China Morning Post (SCMP) predicted on this day, “The issue of water discharge from the Fukushima nuclear power plant was raised at the first ministerial meeting attended by the new Japanese ambassador to China,” and added, “It is expected that the conflict between the two countries will continue over this issue.”
He also added, “China is the strongest opponent of the discharge of wastewater from the Fukushima nuclear power plant, which began in August of last year.”
SCMP also highlighted the fact that the new Ambassador Kanasugi was the first person to be appointed as ambassador to China in seven years without being a member of the ‘China School’, a group of Chinese-speaking diplomats within the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs that advocates improving relations with China.
Previously, at his inauguration press conference held in Beijing when he took office last month, Ambassador Kanasugi emphasized that “it is important to continue talking persistently” regarding China’s measure to suspend imports of Japanese marine products.
[베이징=뉴시스]
Source: Donga
Mark Jones is a world traveler and journalist for News Rebeat. With a curious mind and a love of adventure, Mark brings a unique perspective to the latest global events and provides in-depth and thought-provoking coverage of the world at large.