China called for North Korea not to do "anything that violates U.N. resolutions," shortly after the North fired several short-range projectiles into the sea off its east coast.

The Monday launch of short-range projectiles came days after North Korea fired two mid-range ballistic missiles in the latest defiance of U.N. sanctions.

"We hope that North Korea will not do anything that violates U.N. resolutions," China's foreign ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying told reporters during a regular press briefing.

Hua also urged "all relevant parties" to exercise calm and restraint.

North Korea has stepped up its defiance since the U.N. Security Council imposed tougher sanctions earlier this month on the North to punish its fourth nuclear test and launch of a long-range rocket. (Yonhap)