China in Uproar Over Mbappe's Mao Zedong Remark... Ads Pulled, Broadcasts Halted

Called Mao Zedong a "dictator" in an edited image featuring himself

Chinese companies cut ties one after another as controversy grows

Cool response despite apology in three languages

French national team star Kylian Mbappe, 27, of Real Madrid, has come under intense backlash after referring to Mao Zedong, China's first president, as a "dictator." After major Chinese companies successively canceled their advertising deals with him and state-run broadcasters halted coverage of Spanish league matches, Mbappe moved to contain the fallout by issuing an apology in French, Chinese and English.

French national team star Kylian Mbappe, 27, of Real Madrid, has come under fierce backlash after referring to China's first president, Mao Zedong, as a "dictator." AFP-Yonhap News.

According to major foreign news outlets, including Reuters and AFP, Mbappe said in an apology issued on the 27th local time, "I recently commented in an interview on an edited image of myself, and my remarks were inappropriate." He continued, "I understand that my words hurt many people in China and Chinese communities around the world," adding, "I apologize to everyone who was hurt by my remarks. That was never my intention." He also said, "I have deep respect for the Chinese people and their history, and I am truly sorry."

Mengniu, Dongpeng Beverage and others announce end to partnerships

The controversy began when a video discussing an edited image of Mbappe spread widely on Chinese social media (SNS).

In the video, Mbappe was reportedly introducing what he considered the funniest image among internet memes featuring his face and said, "Some guy, probably a Chinese dictator."

The controversy began when a video discussing an internet-manipulated composite image featuring Mbappe spread primarily on Chinese social media (SNS). SNS

The edited image in the video was reportedly made by superimposing Mbappe's face onto an image of Mao Zedong. Mbappe also reportedly said that he often uses the image when playing online games with his friends. Backlash in China spread quickly. Mao Zedong led the founding of the People's Republic of China in 1949 and is closely tied to the historical legitimacy of the Chinese Communist Party. In China, satire of Mao or public criticism of him is considered politically sensitive.

As the controversy erupted, Chinese companies also moved swiftly. Mengniu, a major Chinese dairy company; Dongpeng Beverage, a drinks maker; and Milkground (Miaokelando), a cheese manufacturer, announced they would end their partnerships with Mbappe. Dongpeng Beverage said it "firmly opposes any actions that hurt national sentiment and applies a zero-tolerance policy," adding that it would immediately suspend all cooperation with Mbappe.

As the controversy erupted, Chinese companies also moved quickly. Mengniu, a major Chinese dairy company, Dongfeng Beverage, and cheese maker Milkground (Miao Ke Lan Duo) announced they would end their partnerships with Mbappe. Dongfeng Beverage said in particular, "We firmly oppose any actions that hurt national sentiments and apply a zero-tolerance policy," adding that it would immediately end all cooperation with Mbappe. Reuters-Yonhap News

Dongpeng Beverage had been using Mbappe in its brand advertising ahead of this year's World Cup. A global soccer star who had enjoyed considerable popularity in the Chinese market has now lost major advertisers one after another over a single remark.

Chinese state media: "We will judge him by his actions, not his words"

The fallout extended beyond the advertising market to soccer broadcasting rights. China Media Group (CMG), which oversees China Central Television (CCTV), decided to suspend broadcasts of Spanish La Liga matches and programming related to Mbappe. Advertisements featuring Mbappe were also pulled from broadcasts. La Liga also moved to contain the fallout. La Liga president Javier Tebas conveyed an apology to the Chinese side, and the league's office expressed deep regret that Mbappe's remarks had offended Chinese soccer fans.

The Chinese side took a hard line, demanding public apologies from La Liga, Real Madrid and Mbappe himself. Even after Mbappe issued an official apology, CMG said, "We will pay more attention to his actions than his words." China's Foreign Ministry also weighed in on the controversy. At a regular briefing on the 27th, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun said, "Words and actions that hurt the feelings of the Chinese people will naturally face collective rejection from all sectors of Chinese society."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.