BEIJING, April 15 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Wednesday called for respect for and safeguarding of Iran's sovereignty security and legitimate rights as a country along the Strait of Hormuz, as well as guaranteeing the freedom and safety of international navigation through the strait.

Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, made the remarks when speaking to Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi over phone. ■