China responds to Kylian Mbappe apology after Mao Zedong outrage

China has responded to Kylian Mbappe’s apology, saying on Wednesday it “takes seriously” the statement following fierce backlash over his comments regarding Mao Zedong.

Asked what China thought of the French footballer’s apology, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun said: “We take seriously the apology that the person has made.”

The spokesperson did not elaborate on the comments, and it remains unclear whether China will backtrack on its decision to stop broadcasting La Liga games on TV.

Mbappe issued an apology on Tuesday after a number of Chinese brands cut ties with him over comments regarding the late Chinese leader, Mao Zedong.

In a statement posted to social media platform X, Mbappe penned an apology in three different languages, writing: “During a recent interview, I reacted to an image of myself.

“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. This was absolutely not my intention. I have deep respect for the Chinese people and their history, and I am sincerely sorry.”

In a video clip from the French talk show ‘The Bridge’ posted on Monday, the Real Madrid player referred to Mao as “some guy – I think he’s a Chinese dictator”, as he described a meme in which his face was photoshopped onto Mao’s.

The clip was behind-the-scenes footage from a podcast filmed in March, and has since been removed from the show’s social media accounts after they also issued an apology to Chinese fans, as well as to Mbappe.

Mbappe’s comments triggered significant backlash in China, with several broadcasters suspending any coverage related to him and the Spanish football league for which he plays.

China’s largest dairy producer, Mengniu, said it would cease its partnership with Mbappe, as did cheesemaker Shanghai Milground Food Tech and drinks giant Eastroc Beverage.

The companies said they had a “zero tolerance” policy towards words or behaviour that offend the feelings of the Chinese public.

A spokesperson for China’s Foreign Ministry said on Tuesday, before the apology, that “words and deeds that hurt the feelings of the Chinese people will naturally be met with opposition from all sectors of Chinese society”.

Parodies of political figures in China have often incurred anger and sanctions before, especially when it comes to Mao, who is revered within the country.

In April 2015, Chinese state broadcaster CCTV suspended TV presenter Bi Fujian after a private dinner video was leaked, showing him mocking Mao while singing a revolutionary opera.

In July 2017, Chinese social media platforms also restricted references to Winnie the Pooh after internet users compared the character to Chinese President Xi Jinping.

In August, artist Gao Zhen was sentenced to three years in prison for “infringing upon the reputation of heroes” because he had made satirical sculptures of Mao, including a 2009 statue called Mao’s Guilt that depicts the late leader kneeling in repentance.

Despite Gao being based in the US, he was arrested in August 2024 while visiting family in China.