China has played down the prospects of conflict with the United States over the South China Sea in the wake of aggressive rhetoric by Donald Trump's administration. Foreign Minister Wang Yi said on a visit to Australia that war would benefit no one and both sides cannot afford it. <br/><br/>He said in Canberra that his country is committed to having talks with the parties directly involved and in accordance with historical facts and international law to peacefully resolve the issue. After the strategic dialogue talks with Wang, Australian Foreign Minister Julie Bishop said that, she had discussed the issue of South China Sea with Wang Yi and Beijing is keen for a close relationship with the Trump government. <br/><br/>Earlier, White House spokesman Sean Spicer said US is going to make sure to protect its interests in the South China Sea while Secretary of State Rex Tillerson said China's access to the islands might be blocked.<br/>China claims most of the South China Sea, while Taiwan, Malaysia, Vietnam, the Philippines and Brunei claim parts of the waters that command strategic sea lanes and have rich fishing grounds along with oil and gas deposits.