Inside China China’s fear and loathing for Fukushima: science versus social media
Aug 30, 2023
SCMP science reporter Victoria Bela and Mimi Lau from HKU AnnieLab factcheck newsroom discuss China and Russia's opposition to Fukushima water release plan, state-led social media campaign, panic buying of salt due to misinformation, and concerns about radioactive matters.
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China and Russia's Criticism
- China and Russia criticize Japan's Fukushima water release for economic reasons.
- They claim vapor release, though more expensive, has less environmental impact.
Japan's Counterargument
- Japan counters that China's Tingshan plant releases significantly more tritium than Fukushima will.
- Other countries also release tritium from nuclear plants, like South Korea, Canada, and France's La Hague plant.
Social Media Misinformation
- Misinformation includes dead fish, dirty seawater images, and radiation meter readings.
- Some Chinese netizens display anti-Japanese sentiment, boycotting products and making prank calls.