Low levels of radiation from the quake-hit Fukushima nuclear plant in Japan has been detected in northeast China, authorities said.
The National Nuclear Emergency Coordination Committee confirmed on Saturday that an 'infinitesimal' amount of radioactive iodine-131 was detected in the atmosphere in Heilongjiang province, according to China Daily.
The radiation was detected in monitoring stations in Dongning, Hulin, Raohe and Wusu townships, said Xu Lijuan, a senior radiation monitoring official.
However, the amount was only one-hundred-thousandth the normal level, and hence no protective measures were needed.
Despite the Japan nuclear crisis, China remains undeterred in its goal of developing nuclear power as a clean energy source, said Tian Jiashu, the environmental protection ministry's nuclear safety director.
China has drawn on the best nuclear energy standards and practices among industrialised nations and can guarantee the safety of its nuclear power facilities, Tian said.
China plans to have 66 nuclear power plants by 2020.
Japan's Fukushima nuclear plant was badly damaged March 11 in a 9.0 magnitude earthquake that spawned a massive tsunami. There were explosions in three of its reactors while a fire broke out in a fourth reactor.
