Asia stocks sink as global gloom weighs

[Elsha]

Asia stock markets fell Wednesday, as investors digested fresh comments from Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao ahead of key economic releases, while lingering concern about slowing global growth hit export and resource shares.

Japan�s Nikkei Stock Average JP:100000018 -0.51% lost 0.5% and Hong Kong�s Hang Seng Index HK:HSI -0.40% shed 0.4%.

South Korea�s Kospi KR:SEU -0.38% and China�s Shanghai Composite CN:000001 -0.30% each dropped 0.2%, while Australia�s S&P/ASX 200 index AU:XJO -0.06% slipped 0.1%.

Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao said Tuesday that the government�s top priority was now stabilizing economic growth rather than long-term restructuring, with policies to include business-tax cuts and more targeted investment, according to state-run media reports. Read more on Premier Wen's comments.