On September 20, 2023, Vice Foreign Minister Ma Zhaoxu met with Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Rafael Mariano Grossi in New York at the latter's request and clarified China's position on Japan's discharge of nuclear-contaminated water into the sea.

Ma Zhaoxu pointed out that the Japanese government, ignoring the opposition from neighboring countries, including China, and Japanese citizens, and disregarding the wide questioning from the international community, is pressing ahead with the plan to discharge nuclear-contaminated water from the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant to the sea. China firmly opposes this. The IAEA should uphold an objective, fair, and scientific attitude and handle the Fukushima nuclear-contaminated water issue as per its responsibilities. It should respond to the legitimate and reasonable concerns of the international community, including China, with concrete actions.

Rafael Mariano Grossi said the IAEA attaches great importance to China's relevant positions and concerns. It will maintain a neutral and objective stance in participating in the disposal of the Fukushima nuclear-contaminated water, and is willing to maintain close communication and cooperation with China on this matter.