China called for the "relevant parties" to exercise calm and restraint on Friday, a day after North Korea fired seven ground-to-air missiles into the East Sea in apparent show of force against annual military drills between South Korea and the United States.

The missiles were launched from the east coast on Thursday evening and landed in the East Sea in a drill supervised by North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, South Korea's defense ministry said.

North Korea routinely test-fires missiles, but ballistic missile tests are banned by U.N. resolutions. The latest missile launch comes as South Korea and the U.S. are conducting annual joint military drills.

Asked about the North's Thursday missile firing, China's foreign ministry spokesman Hong Lei replied, "We have taken note of the reports."

"Maintaining peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula is in the common interest of all parties," Hong said. "We hope that, given the current circumstances, the relevant parties can do more things that can ease tensions and increase peace and stability of the region." (Yonhap)