MANILA, Philippines - Malacañang is sending an emissary to China this week to explain the country’s position over the Spratly Islands.

In a press conference, Presidential Spokesman Edwin Lacierda said lawyer Henry Bensurto will talk with officials in Beijing over the incident whereby a Chinese patrol vessel supposedly harassed a Philippine oil exploration ship in an area near the Spratlys.

The incident, which happened last March 2, prompted the country to file a protest with China.

The government said the exploration was done inside the jurisdiction of Palawan, not in a contested area.

Taiwan, Brunei, Vietnam and Malaysia are the other claimants of the oil and marine-rich Spratlys.

The United States earlier called for a peaceful resolution of the dispute.

In a press conference Thursday morning, however, Chinese Ambassador Liu Jianchao said “involvement by a non-claimant will only result in further complication of the issue, which is not welcome.”