The Presidential Communications Office (PCO) said that former Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr.'s new appointment as Special Envoy to China for Special Concerns would strengthen Manila's ties with Beijing.

Communications Secretary Cheloy Garafil said this after the PCO announced Locsin's new post on Wednesday, Aug. 16.

In a Viber message, the Palace official explained that President Marcos appointed the veteran journalist to the post because he thought it would be beneficial to the relationship between the Philippines and China.

"It's to boost bilateral relations between the two countries," Garafil said.

She, however, did not share what was Marcos' instructions to Locsin.

Garafil earlier said Locsin's new position is concurrent with his initial appointment as the Philippine Ambassador to the United Kingdom.

Locsin's appointment came following the tensions between the Philippines and China in the West Philippine Sea.

Locsin served as the Foreign Affairs Secretary during the Duterte administration.