After N.Korea missiles, China hopes parties avoid action that may escalate tensions

Hua Chunying, spokeswoman of China's Foreign Ministry, speaks at a regular news conference in Beijing, China, January 6, 2016. REUTERS/Jason Lee/Files

BEIJING (Reuters) - China's Foreign Ministry said on Monday it hoped relevant parties avoid taking any actions that may escalate tensions, after North Korea fired three ballistic missiles into the sea off its east coast. Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying made the comments at a daily news briefing in Beijing. (Reporting by Paul Carsten; Writing by Ben Blanchard; Editing by Michael Perry)