China urges restoration of normal navigation in Strait of Hormuz

China's Foreign Minister Wang Yi urged his Iranian counterpart Abbas Araqchi to make efforts to restore normal navigation in the Strait of Hormuz in a phone call on Wednesday, according to a Chinese foreign ministry statement.

• Wang said while Iran's sovereignty and security in the Strait of Hormuz should be respected and safeguarded, freedom and safety of navigation through the waterway should also be guaranteed.

• There was unanimous interest among the international community for restoration of normal navigation in the strait, he said.

• The situation is at a critical stage of transformation and the window for peace is opening, Wang said.

• China supports maintaining the ceasefire and negotiations, which he said are in the interests of Iran, the region and the world.

• China is willing to continue pushing to ease the situation and promote improvement of relations between countries in the region, Wang added.

  -Liz Lee and Beijing newsroom/Reuters