16-8-2023 (MANILA) President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. has officially appointed former foreign affairs chief Teodoro Locsin Jr. as his special envoy to China, specifically for matters of special concern, as announced by Malacañang on Wednesday.
This appointment comes at a time of heightened tensions in the West Philippine Sea, following an incident where the China Coast Guard blocked and used water cannons against Philippine vessels on a resupply mission.
Teodoro Locsin Jr. previously served as the ambassador to the United Kingdom, with jurisdiction over Ireland, the Isle of Man, Bailiwick of Jersey, and Bailiwick of Guernsey, since September 2022. It remains uncertain whether he will retain his position as ambassador to London.
Locsin held the role of foreign affairs secretary from 2018 until the conclusion of former President Rodrigo Duterte Jr.’s administration.
In 2021, Locsin made headlines when he took to Twitter to tell Beijing to “get the f**k out” of the resource-rich waters, which China claims almost entirely. This came after months of Chinese vessels swarming inside the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone. Locsin later issued an apology to Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi.
In response to the recent incident where the China Coast Guard blocked and used water cannons against boats on a resupply mission, the Philippines summoned Chinese Ambassador Huang and lodged a protest against China’s “illegal actions.” China defended its actions as “professional” and “restrained.”
