The STAR Composite Index, which reflects the performance of stocks on China's sci-tech innovation board, closed 5.70 percent lower at 1,755.22 points on Thursday.
The STAR 50 Index, which tracks the 50 largest stocks listed on the board that also meet certain liquidity requirements, closed 5.38 percent lower at 1,588.41 points.
The sci-tech innovation board, commonly known as the STAR Market, was inaugurated in June 2019 at Shanghai Stock Exchange. It is designed to support companies in the high-tech and strategic emerging sectors.
China's STAR Composite Index closes lower Thursday
China on Thursday sternly warned Japan over its nuclear ambition, calling it "a red line that should never be crossed". Ministry of National Defense spokesman Jiang Bin made the statement at a press briefing.
Jiang described recent remarks by the Japanese defense minister as "extremely provocative and dangerous", saying they had once again exposed Japan's pretense and lies to the international community.
His comments came after the Japanese defense chief said several times that Japan should discuss nuclear-weapon-related policies without taboos, including whether to revise the three non-nuclear principles -- the policy of not possessing, manufacturing, or allowing the introduction of nuclear weapons that Japan has long been adhering to since the end of World War II.
"The remarks from the Japanese defense minister are highly provocative and dangerous, and once again expose Japan's pretense and lies to the international community. I wonder whether the Japanese side is using these remarks to test public opinion tolerance and pave the way for its ill attempts to challenge the bottom line of international justice. It is highly vigilant that Japan, an internationally recognized nuclear-threshold state, has stockpiled approximately 44.4 metric tons of separated plutonium and long maintained the capability for a rapid nuclear breakout," said Jiang.
Japan's attempt to breach the three non-nuclear principles seriously violates its obligations under international law as stipulated in the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons, severely undermining the international nuclear non-proliferation regime, he said.
"Japan's pursuit of breaking through the 'Three Non-Nuclear Principles' severely violates its international legal obligations under the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons, undermines the global non-proliferation regime and threatens the post-war international order. Japan's nuclear ambition is a red line that should never be crossed. Otherwise, if the Pandora's box is opened, the consequences would be catastrophic.The international community and the Japanese public must remain highly vigilant and resolutely contain such a tendency," Jiang said.
China says Japan's nuclear ambition is "red line that should never be crossed"
