China calls for sustaining China-UK relations momentum: spokesman

China and the UK should jointly sustain the momentum of improvement and growth in bilateral relations, said Foreign Ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun at a press briefing in Beijing on Tuesday.

Guo made the remarks in response to a media query about UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer's resignation.

Starmer announced on Monday that he would resign as leader of the governing Labor Party and set out a timetable for his departure from office.

"This is the UK's internal affair. We have no comment on it. China and the UK are both permanent members of the UN Security Council and major economies. A long-term and consistent comprehensive strategic partnership between the two sides serves the fundamental interests of both countries and peoples and also contributes to world peace, stability and prosperity. The two sides need to work in the same direction, deepen bilateral cooperation and coordination in multilateral affairs, and jointly sustain the momentum of improvement and growth in bilateral relations," Guo said.

China calls for sustaining China-UK relations momentum: spokesman

Tokyo stocks tumbled on Tuesday, with the benchmark Nikkei index falling below the 70,000 mark after snapping an eight-session winning streak, as investors took profits amid concerns over an overheated market.

The 225-issue Nikkei Stock Average ended down 2,565.58 points, or 3.55 percent, from Monday at 69,788.38.

The broader Topix index, meanwhile, finished 104.67 points, or 2.56 percent, lower at 3,990.38.

On the top-tier Prime Market, nonferrous metal, electric appliance, and information and communication issues were notable decliners.

The Nikkei briefly traded higher at the open but soon reversed course as selling pressure mounted after the index had surged more than 8,100 points during its eight-session advance.

Heavyweight technology shares, particularly recent gainers such as Kioxia Holdings Corp. and Tokyo Electron, led the decline. The selloff was partly cushioned as dip-buyers stepped in.

Losses extended in the afternoon, with the Nikkei diving more than 3 percent toward the close.

Tokyo stocks slump on overheating concerns