On August 22, 2023, Vice Foreign Minister Sun Weidong summoned Japanese Ambassador to China Tarumi Hideo, and made solemn representations on the Japanese government's announcement to start discharging the Fukushima nuclear-contaminated water into the ocean from August 24.

Sun Weidong pointed out that in disregard of the strong doubts and opposition from the international community, the Japanese government announced the decision to start the discharge of the Fukushima nuclear-contaminated water into the ocean. Such an act blatantly shifts the risks of nuclear pollution to neighboring countries, including China, and the international community, and puts its interests above the long-term well-being of people in the region and the world. It is extremely selfish and irresponsible. China expresses grave concern and strong opposition to it.

Sun Weidong emphasized that the Fukushima nuclear accident is one of the world's most serious nuclear accidents to date, resulting in the release of a large amount of radioactive material, which has far-reaching implications for the marine environment, food safety, and human health. The ocean is the blue home that all humanity depends on for survival, and the Japanese side should not dump nuclear-contaminated water at will. Japan's act of pushing ahead with the discharge of nuclear-contaminated water into the ocean undoubtedly puts the global marine environment and the health of all humanity at high stakes. China strongly urges the Japanese side to revoke its wrong decision, stop pushing ahead with the nuclear-contaminated water discharge plan, communicate with its neighbors with sincerity and goodwill, and handle the matter responsibly, so as to avoid any unforeseeable damage and harm to the global marine environment. If Japan goes its way, the Chinese government will take necessary measures to firmly safeguard the marine environment, food safety, and public health.