Mbappe's Remarks Trigger Backlash in China
Kylian Mbappe's joke on a television program drew wide reaction in China. Broadcasts were then reportedly suspended and sponsorship deals were said to have been terminated.
France national team star Kylian Mbappe appeared on The Bridge, a program broadcast in France. Asked about the funniest thing he had seen online, the footballer referred to a video about a Chinese dictator. The video reportedly showed an image resembling former Chinese leader Mao Zedong with Mbappe's face superimposed on it.
After the remarks spread on social media, reactions grew in China. The Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson said that words hurting the feelings of the Chinese people would be met with opposition from all sectors of society. This statement showed that the debate had moved beyond online discussion to an official response.
As the reactions grew, the decisions of some Chinese media outlets and brands also came into focus. State broadcaster CCTV was reported to have suspended coverage of Spanish LaLiga matches, and some news reports about Mbappe were taken down. It was also claimed that some brands had ended their sponsorship agreements with the footballer.
Following these developments, Mbappe issued a statement on his social media account saying he was sorry for his remarks. Stressing his deep respect for the Chinese people and their history, the footballer apologized to anyone who had been hurt and said it was never his intention.
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