Measures Taken by China and Special Administrative Regions to Maintain Food Safety in Response to the Discharge of Fukushima Nuclear - Contaminated Water into the Sea

The Japanese government recently decided to start discharging the nuclear - contaminated water from the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant into the sea on August 24. This decision has drawn widespread attention and concern internationally. Although Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida said that he had communicated with local fishermen and obtained some understanding, the decision still faced strong opposition from many countries and regions.

To ensure food safety and the health of residents, the Hong Kong and Macao Special Administrative Region Governments responded promptly. The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government decided to ban the import of food from 10 prefectures and counties in Japan from August 24, including various aquatic products, sea salt, and seaweed. To strengthen supervision, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government will also issue press releases to announce the radiation test results of Japanese - imported food and disclose the radiation levels of local catches.

At the same time, the Macao Special Administrative Region Government also expressed strong dissatisfaction and banned the import of a variety of foods from 10 prefectures and counties since August 24, including vegetables, fruits, dairy products, aquatic products and their products, meat and its products, and eggs. To improve information transparency and strengthen science popularization education, the Macao Municipal Affairs Bureau has launched the Nuclear - tested Food Safety special web page, providing radiation test data and various science popularization and publicity materials.

Wang Wenbin, a spokesperson for the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, clearly stated at a press conference that the Chinese government will take all necessary measures to safeguard food safety and the health of the Chinese people. He urged Japan to revoke the plan to discharge nuclear - contaminated water into the sea, called on Japan to communicate in good faith with neighboring countries, properly handle the nuclear - contaminated water, and accept strict international supervision.

In addition, to prevent Japanese food that may be radioactively contaminated from entering the Chinese market, the General Administration of Customs decided to comprehensively suspend the import of aquatic products (including edible aquatic animals) originating in Japan from August 24, 2023 (inclusive). The General Administration of Customsimport and exportThe person in charge of the Food Safety Bureau said that they will continue to strengthen the detection and monitoring of radioactive substances to ensure that products with risks are prevented from flowing into the Chinese market.

Japans decision to discharge the nuclear - contaminated water from Fukushima into the sea not only affects Japan itself, but also poses huge risks to neighboring countries and regions. The Chinese government and its special administrative region governments responded promptly and took a series of measures aimed at safeguarding food safety and public health. This reflects the high sense of responsibility of the Chinese government towards the people and its determination to safeguard national interests.