China’s foreign ministry has said that it takes seriously the apology from Real Madrid forward Kylian Mbappe, after his comments about Mao Zedong caused a social media storm and led to Spanish football leaving state TV.
During a video interview with the French show The Bridge, the star footballer said an internet meme amused him that put his face on “some guy, think he’s a Chinese dictator,” an apparent reference to Mao. The show has since taken the clip down.
The joke angered China because mocking Mao is considered taboo there.
Beijing and Chinese companies responded quickly. The China Media Group, which oversees public broadcaster CCTV, suspended broadcasts of La Liga. Beverage company Dongpeng and dairy firms Mengniu and Milkground ended their partnerships with the player.
Chinese social media apps Xiaohongshu and Weibo froze his accounts. Some Chinese media reports said that Dior and Hublot had removed Mbappe-related content from Weibo.
Mbappe, who captains France, apologised on Tuesday in a statement in French, Chinese and English.
“My comment was ill-judged and I now understand that it hurt many people in China and in Chinese communities around the world. I apologise to everyone my words have upset,” he said.
Foreign ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun responded at a regular briefing on Wednesday. “We take seriously the apology the individual concerned has made,” he stated.
La Liga said it “deeply regrets the offence that Kylian Mbappe’s recent comments have caused among Chinese fans.”
Real Madrid also apologised to the Chinese people in an official statement. The club said it “wishes to express its apologies to the Chinese people for any discomfort that may have been caused by the recent words of our player Kylian Mbappé.”
The club said it holds deep respect for China, its history, its culture and its citizens, as well as for the millions of Chinese fans who admire Real Madrid. It said it joins Mbappe’s public apology, in which the player expressed regret and repeated his respect for the Chinese people.
Real Madrid reaffirmed its commitment to respect, coexistence and understanding among cultures. It also said it wants to keep strengthening its bonds of friendship with China and its citizens.
