Xi warns Japan PM Fukushima water release affects 'health of all humankind'

Chinese President Xi Jinping met Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum in California during their first direct talks in a year.

Xi told that the release of wastewater from the Fukushima nuclear plant affected the "health of humankind", Beijing's foreign ministry said Friday. Xi also called on Japan to take seriously the legitimate concerns at home and abroad on the issue. 

China banned all Japanese seafood imports after Japan began releasing treated wastewater into the Pacific Ocean from the Fukushima nuclear plant in August.

On the seafood ban, Kishida said he "strongly demanded a calm response based on scientific evidence and the immediate removal of restrictions on imports of Japanese food products". He also said the two sides "agreed to seek solutions through dialogue and discussions based on constructive attitude".