China, Japan reach agreement on sea product trade

China will gradually resume imports of Japanese aquatic products that meet standards based on scientific evidence after it participates in long-term international monitoring on the discharge of nuclear-contaminated water from the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant and the independent sampling by participating countries.

The Foreign Ministry announced on Friday as part of an agreement reached by the two nations over the discharge of nuclear-contaminated water.

As part of the agreement, Japan pledged to fulfill its obligations under international law, do its utmost to avoid leaving a negative impact on human health and the environment, and conduct continuous evaluations of the impact on the marine environment and marine ecosystems.

China reiterated that its firm opposition to the ocean discharge of the nuclear-contaminated water remains unchanged.

Japan welcomes the establishment of a long-term international monitoring arrangement under the framework of the International Atomic Energy Agency covering key stages of sea discharge, and will ensure the effective participation of all stakeholders, including China, the ministry said.

Japan will also ensure the implementation of independent sampling and monitoring as well as inter-laboratory comparisons of these participating countries, the ministry added.

Beijing and Tokyo agreed to continue to carry out constructive dialogue based on science and a responsible attitude toward the ecological environment and people's life and health, the ministry said.