Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has expressed his determination to resolve issues with foreign powers through dialogue. But he did not name China over territorial claims in the South China Sea.

Marcos delivered his first State of the Nation Address to the Congress on Monday. He took office late last month.

Marcos said, "I will not preside over any process that will abandon even a square inch of territory" of the Philippines to any foreign power.

Marcos has previously said he will protect the sovereignty of his country by invoking a 2016 arbitration tribunal ruling that dismissed most of China's claims in the waters.

He said the Philippines "will be a good neighbor -- always looking for ways to collaborate and cooperate with the end goal of mutually beneficial outcomes."

The president also said that, if the Philippines disagrees with neighbors, the country will talk with them until consensus emerges.