New Philippine 'special envoy' to China not one to mince words

Teodoro Locsin (left), then the Philippines' foreign minister, talking to China's Foreign Minister Wang Yi during the inauguration of China's consulate general in Davao in 2018. - AFP

MANILA (AFP): Former Philippine foreign minister Teodoro Locsin who has been appointed the president's special envoy to Beijing has been described as an outspoken diplomat known for his 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.