Global Times: It is reported that TEPCO started to dump the 8th batch of Fukushima nuclear-contaminated water into the ocean on August 7. The discharge is expected to last through August 25 and reach about 7,800 tonnes. What is China’s comment? 

Mao Ning: China opposes Japan’s unilateral discharge of nuclear-contaminated water into the ocean. This position remains unchanged. The ocean discharge of Japan’s Fukushima nuclear-contaminated water has an impact on the health of all humanity, the global marine environment and the global common good. This is by no means Japan’s private business. Japan still has not addressed international concerns about the discharge, including its safety, the long-term reliability of the treatment facility and the effectiveness of monitoring arrangements and so on, yet it continues dumping the water into the ocean and transferring the risk of nuclear pollution to the world. This is seriously irresponsible. China has expressed concern to Japan and engaged in in-depth communication with Japan multiple times. 

China urges Japan to cooperate fully in putting in place a long-term, independent and effective international monitoring scheme with substantive participation of Japan’s neighboring countries and other stakeholders. 

AFP: Kamala Harris has chosen Tim Walz as her White House running mate. Walz has a lot of connections to China—he taught English here. But he also met with the Dalai Lama as a Congressman as well as Hong Kong “pro-democracy activists.” Does the Foreign Ministry have any comment on how the choice might impact China-US relations?

Mao Ning: The US presidential election is the domestic affair of the US. We have no comment on it. We hope the US will work with China in the same direction under the principles of mutual respect, peaceful coexistence and win-win cooperation and work for the steady, sound and sustainable development of China-US relations for the benefit of both countries and the wider world.

AFP: The US said Tuesday China will begin imposing controls on chemicals used to make the drug fentanyl. Can you share any more details?

Mao Ning: I’d refer you to competent authorities for the specifics. China takes a firm stance on counternarcotics. As early as in 2019, China announced that it will officially schedule fentanyl-related substances as a class—the first country in the world to do so, and China has always put precursor chemicals under strict control.

AFP: A Chinese-born academic who feigned being a pro-democracy activist was convicted of acting as a covert Chinese agent, the Justice Department said. Does the Foreign Ministry have any comment?

Mao Ning: I am not familiar with what you mentioned. 

RIA Novosti: It was reported that UK Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs David Lammy is considering making a visit to China, according to people familiar with the matter, to recalibrate the UK’s relationship with Beijing. Can you confirm the visit? What is your view on the “recalibration” of China-UK relations?

Mao Ning: Our foreign minister recently met with him in Vientiane, Laos. We are positive and open towards enhancing bilateral exchanges and cooperation. Both China and the UK are permanent members of the UN Security Council and major economies in the world. A stable and mutually-beneficial China-UK relationship serves the fundamental interests of both peoples, helps the two sides come together to respond to global challenges, and contributes to world peace and development. We hope to work with the UK on the basis of mutual respect and win-win cooperation for new progress in bilateral relations, so as to bring more benefit to both countries and the wider world. 

As for the visit you mentioned, I have no information to share at the moment.