China on Thursday called for restraint amid mounting border tensions between Turkey and Syria.

"The Chinese side always holds that sovereignty and territorial integrity should be respected between countries," Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei said in response to a question on the attacks in the border areas between Turkey and Syria.

"We appeal to all relevant sides including Turkey and Syria to exercise restraint and refrain from taking any action that will escalate tensions in order to maintain peace and stability in the region," Hong said.

Reports said Turkish artillery has fired on Syrian targets for two days after a deadly mortar strike from Syria on Wednesday killed five civilians and injured a dozen others in the Turkish border town of Akcakale.