BEIJING, March 27 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said on Friday that only through negotiation can more casualties and losses be avoided, which would also help prevent the spread of war and restore normal navigation in the Strait of Hormuz.

Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, made the remarks in a phone conversation with Pakistani Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar at the latter's request. ■