A Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson defended the country's ban on importing Japanese marine products. 

Mao Ning reiterated China's position on the matter at a press conference on August 23, about a year since the start of treated water release from the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant into the sea. 

Mao criticized Japan for posing risks to the world, adding that Beijing has consistently opposed the Fukushima water discharge and repeatedly expressed its serious concerns to Tokyo over the matter. 

She said the import ban is reasonable and necessary, explaining that the Chinese government's efforts to protect food safety and people's health are completely justifiable. 

China suspended importing Japanese marine products when Tokyo Electric Power Company began releasing the treated and diluted water from the plant into the Pacific Ocean in August 2023. 

The Japanese government has been asking China to withdraw the import prohibition, but a government official said negotiations are not moving forward.