The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government strongly opposes the Japanese government’s plan to discharge nuclear-contaminated water in Fukushima, Japan, Chief Executive John Lee said today.
 

Mr Lee voiced his concern in a press statement and pointed out: “The decision of conducting such an unprecedented and large-scale discharge, which would last for 30 years, has blatantly ignored the inevitable risk on food safety and the irreversible contamination and damages to the marine environment.
 
“It is an irresponsible act which shifted the issue from oneself to another.”
 
In response to the discharge of nuclear-contaminated water, the Chief Executive has instructed the Environment & Ecology Bureau and relevant departments to initiate import control measures to safeguard food safety and the health of Hong Kong citizens.
 
Currently, there are around 1.3 million cubic metres of radioactive nuclear-contaminated water, which involves at least 30 radionuclides, stored in some 1,000 tanks at the Fukushima Nuclear Power Station. According to the Japanese government’s plan, the wastewater will be released for a period of 30 years, with an annual discharge volume of up to 15 million cubic metres.
 
Mr Lee noted that while it is impossible to have a foolproof design and operation, such nuclear activities and radionuclides will have long-lasting adverse impact on our future generations.
 
Citing expert opinions which point out that the radioactive substances could accumulate in the marine environment as well as inside organisms, he said the impact and risk from the discharge in Fukushima should be accorded with high level of concerns and prevention.
 
It is necessary for the Hong Kong SAR Government to make comprehensive and effective protection, he stressed, adding that any error in relation to the discharge will inevitably bring about damages to environment, ecology and food safety.