China-Philippines relations: outspoken Teodoro Locsin, who swore at China, appointed ‘special envoy’ to Beijing

Locsin often used strong language while serving as Rodrigo Duterte’s foreign secretary and once swore at Beijing over its presence in the South China Sea

His appointment comes at a delicate time for relations between the Philippines and China, which are embroiled in a diplomatic row over the South China Sea

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Teodoro Locsin (L), then the Philippines’ foreign minister, talks to China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi during the inauguration of China’s consulate general in Davao. Photo: AFP

Published: 6:49pm, 16 Aug 2023Updated: 6:39pm, 17 Aug 2023

Former Philippine foreign minister Teodoro Locsin has been appointed the president’s special envoy to Beijing, the government said on Wednesday, despite the outspoken diplomat’s profanity-laced criticism of China.

Locsin, currently the ambassador to Britain and Ireland, often used strong language while serving as foreign secretary under former president Rodrigo Duterte and once swore at China online over the presence of its vessels in the disputed South China Sea.

“China, my friend, how politely can I put it? Let me see … O … GET THE F--- OUT,” Locsin posted on Twitter in May 2021.

Philippine Secretary of Foreign Affairs Teodoro Locsin. Photo: AP

Locsin also likened China to “an ugly oaf forcing your attentions on a handsome guy who wants to be a friend”.

His expletive-laden demand prompted a rebuke from Beijing and Locsin later apologised to his Chinese counterpart.

The Philippine foreign affairs department declined to comment on Locsin’s surprise appointment, which was announced by the Presidential Communications Office on its official Facebook page.

It said in a brief statement that Locsin had been appointed “Special Envoy of the President to the People’s Republic of China for Special Concerns”.