Mbappe's 'caricature of Mao Zedong' controversy in China... ‘Apology’ for interruption of advertising and broadcasting (Comprehensive 2nd report)

Beijing = Yonhap News) Correspondent Jeong Seong-jo = Famous French soccer player Kylian Mbappe (27, Real Madrid) apologized to China after his advertisement in China was canceled and even the broadcast of the game was stopped due to controversy over his caricature of Mao Zedong (1893-1976).

According to local Chinese media on the 27th, in an interview with a French media outlet the previous day, Mbappe was asked what was the funniest meme (online trending content) created using his face. He answered, "It's my face composited onto the face of the Chinese dictator (Mao Zedong)," and "I often use that meme when I play games with my friends."

It is known that Mbappe has often been the target of 'dictator memes' on social media in the past.

Because of his strong-willed image, humorous posts that combined Mbappe's face with those of authoritarian rulers or soldiers from around the world were often circulated.

The appearance of a composite image of Mao Zedong is not new, but with Mbappe's remarks the previous day, controversy regarding the issue spread on Chinese social media until today.

On Chinese social media, many criticisms of "hurting national sentiments" were noticed, and Chinese brands such as Mengniu, a famous milk manufacturer, Dongfeng Beverage, Busuira, and Milk Ground, issued statements one after another, announcing that they would stop cooperating with Mbappe.

The Chinese government also spoke out. In response to a question about the Mbappe issue at a regular briefing on the same day, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Guo Jiaqun raised his voice, saying, "Words and actions that hurt the feelings of the Chinese people will naturally be met with common ostracism from all walks of Chinese society."

State-run China Central Television (CCTV) stopped broadcasting Spanish La Liga and Mbappe-related games from the previous day, and also took down all advertisements featuring Mbappe.

According to CCTV, La Liga President Javier Tebas sent a letter to the head of China Media Group (CMG), which CCTV belongs to, and apologized, saying, "I hope to immediately and clearly express our condemnation of Mbappe's actions," but CMG responded, "There can be no discussion without first making a polite apology. La Liga and Real Madrid clubs, and especially Mbappe himself, must quickly and publicly apologize."

Immediately after that, Mbappe released an apology in French, Chinese, and English.

“In a recent interview, I reacted to a photo featuring me and my comments were inappropriate,” Mbappe said in his apology. “I understand that these comments have hurt many people in China and the Chinese community around the world.”

Mbappe added, "I apologize to everyone who was hurt by my words. It was never my intention. I have deep respect for the Chinese people and its history, and I am truly sorry."

A CMG official said, "We look at actions more than words," and added, "We hope that La Liga, Real Madrid, and Mbappe himself will learn a lesson from this, apologize sincerely, and regret his mistakes."