"The Chinese army has received a US request regarding the equipment, relevant ministries from the two countries are in contact, we hope that this situation is successfully resolved," a source from the People's Liberation Army told the Global Times newspaper.
The drone had been captured by a Chinese navy ship as an unidentified object, the source added, stressing this was done out of security considerations and the vessel was subjected to identification friend or foe (IFF) checks.
Meanwhile, the United States alleged that China ignored requests for the vehicle to be returned.
The drone is not a classified piece of equipment and is used to gather data on water temperature, salinity and the speed of sound, according Pentagon Press Secretary Peter Cook.
Washington and Beijing interests clash in the South China Sea, with China and US allies, including the Philippines, Taiwan, Malaysia, Brunei and Vietnam, having competing territorial claims. The US Navy continues patrols in the area despite Chinese protests.