China`s Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying expressed hope in a statement that "all relevant parties can make concerted efforts to safeguard peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula."
The statement came after North Korea fired five short-range missiles into the East Sea, in a move that may fuel tensions in the run-up to the large-scale US-South Korea military drills which are scheduled for early next month.
The exact type of missiles North Korea launched is yet to be identified; the rockets reportedly flew about 200 kilometers before landing in waters off the country`s east coast.
Earlier, North Korea`s leader Kim Jong-un had witnessed the test-firing of his country`s new advanced anti-ship missile.
UN Security Council resolutions ban Pyongyang from being involved in any ballistic activity.
Last month, North Korea offered to impose a temporary moratorium on its nuclear tests if the US and South cancel their joint military drills, a proposal that was rejected by Washington.
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