Marcos says diplomatic efforts with China heading 'in poor direction'

FILE PHOTO: Ferdinand Marcos Jr. President of the Philippines speaks at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) CEO Summit in San Francisco, California, U.S., November 15, 2023. REUTERS/Carlos Barria/File Photo

MANILA: Philippines President Ferdinand Marcos Jr (pic) said a "paradigm shift" was needed in how his country approaches the South China Sea issue, as diplomatic efforts with Beijing were headed "in a poor direction".

Marcos, in an interview with Japanese media on Dec 16, parts of which were shared with Philippine media on Monday (Dec 18), said traditional diplomatic efforts were being disregarded by China, according to a presidential palace release.