China calls for calm following DPRK missile launches

China has called on all parties to ease tensions on the Korean Peninsula following a series of missile launches from the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK).

Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei said on Monday at a regular news briefing, "We hope all parties make efforts to ease the current tension and maintain peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula."

DPRK leader Kim Jong Un has overseen a rocket firing drill of the country's military, the DPRK's official news agency KCNA reported on Monday.

The DPRK on Sunday fired two short-range ballistic missiles into waters off its east coast after firing three short-range projectiles on Friday, the Republic of Korea (ROK) military said.

The KCNA said the test on Friday came at a time when the United States, South Korea and other allied forces "are becoming extremely reckless in moves to isolate and stifle the DPRK and unleash a war of aggression."

Animosity has been running high on the Korean Peninsula after the two sides exchanged artillery shells on the disputed western sea border on May 22, about two months after trading hundreds of artillery shells in late March.