G/SPS/GEN/2153  
 
20 September 2023  
(23-6244) Page: 1/1 
Committee on Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures  Original: English  
 
POSITION PAPER OF CHINA REGARDING JAPAN 'S DISCHARGE  OF  
NUCLEAR -CONTAMINATED WATER INTO THE OCEAN  
COMMUNICATION FROM CHINA  
The following communication, received on 19 September 2023, is being circulated at the request of 
the delegation of China . 
 
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The Preamble to  the Marrakesh Agreement Establishing the World Trade Organization  articulates 
"the objective of su stainable development ", and provides that the P arties to the Agreement shall 
seek to "protect and preserve the environment ". The Agreement on the Application of Sanitary and 
Phytosanitary Measures  reaffirms that WTO Members have the right to take sanitary and 
phytosanitary measures necessary for the protection of human, animal or plant life or health.  
 
Since Japan 's announce ment of its plan for discharge  of Fukushima  nuclear -contaminated water into 
the ocean in 2021, China has repeatedly raised serious concerns and question s at the WTO Sanitary 
and Phytosanitary Measures Committee  and under the Trade Policy Review of Japan, pointing out 
that Japan 's release of huge amount s of nuclear -contaminated  water into the marine environment 
imposes serious risks to environmental safety, food safety and public health. However, the Japanese 
government , insisting on going down the wrong path despite  all the oppositions,  unilaterally and 
arbitrarily started the discharge  of nuclear -contaminated water into the ocean on 24  August 2023.  
 
China noted that, on 4 September  2023, Japan submitted a communication document to the SPS 
Committee and repeated its rhetoric under the Committee. It must be emphasized that  this is  the 
first time in human history that such a large quantity of nuclear -contaminated water is poured into 
the ocean. So far, major concerns of the international community, such as the legitimacy and legality 
of Japan 's discharge of nuclear -contaminated water into the ocean , the long -term reliability of the 
purification facility, and the authenticity and accuracy of the data of nuclear -contaminated water, 
have not been truly and effectively addressed. An independent, objective , and fair international 
monitoring scheme has not yet been established. After Japan 's release of nuclear -contaminated 
water into the ocean, the Japanese aquatic p roducts, under the influence of mari ne food chain 
accumulation and bio -concentration, will pose widespread and long -term threats to the life and 
health of humanity and huge risks to food safety.  
 
In this context , in order to fully prevent the risk s of radi oactive contamination on food safety caused 
by Japan 's discharge of nuclear -contaminated water into the ocean , to protect the life and health of 
Chinese consumers and to ensure the safety of imported food s, in accordance with Chinese  laws and 
regulations and the Agreement on the Application of Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures  of the 
WTO, China has taken emergency  trade measures against aquatic products originating from Japan , 
which are  totally justified , reasonable and necessary . 
 
China urges Japan to take seriously the legitimate concerns of all sides, reflect conscientiously and 
seriously on itself,  faithfully respect , and fulfil its international obligations, by immediately stop ping 
the dumping of nuclear -contaminated water into  the ocean, and faithfully engage in consultations 
with all relevant stakeholders, especially its neighbor ing Member s, in order to find a truly responsible 
solution in disposing the nuclear -contaminated water.  
 
 
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