China will suspend the import of aquatic products, including edible aquatic animals, originating from Japan starting from Thursday, said the General Administration of Customs in an online statement.

The head of the GAC's bureau of import and export food safety, said that the Japanese government, disregarding strong international doubts and opposition, unilaterally initiated the discharge of nuclear-contaminated water from the destroyed Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant into the Pacific Ocean on Thursday.

The official said that the Chinese Customs authorities are highly concerned about the radioactive pollution risks posed by this action to Japanese food and agricultural products being exported to China.

In accordance with relevant Chinese laws and regulations, as well as the provisions of the World Trade Organization's Agreement on the Application of Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures, the GAC has decided to take enhanced control measures regarding food originating from Japan.

The GAC will closely monitor Japan's release of nuclear-contaminated water into the ocean and will adjust relevant regulatory measures as the situation evolves.