China today warned that words and behaviours that “strengthen the sentiments of the Chinese people will be rejected by all sectors of society” in response to the controversy caused by statements by French footballer Kylian Mbappé about Mao Zedong.
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27/10/2026
by
Lusa
O spokesperson of the Chinese Foreign Ministry Guo Jiakun thus reacted, at a regular press conference, to the controversy triggered by the response of Real Madrid's advance during a recent interview, when he was asked about his favorite humorous image on the Internet, known as 'meme'.
“ The one I laughed the most about was one where they used my face on a Chinese dictator. I use it a lot with my friends”, said the player, not to mention specifically any leader.
In recent months, a montage has become popular on social media that overlaps the face of the French footballer with a portrait of Mao Zedong, founder of the People's Republic of China.
The company Dongpeng Beverage Group, through its official account and Bu Shui La brand, today released reports on the Chinese social network Weibo, in which it confirmed the immediate disruption of commercial relations with the player, although without specifying the events that motivated the decision.
The dairy companies Mengniu and Milkground also announced today the end of cooperation with Mbappé and expressed their rejection of any behavior that undermines the sentiments of the Chinese people.
To these decisions joined the Chinese state television CCTV, which suspended since Monday night the broadcasts of the Spanish Football League, in addition to withdrawing ads and videos starring the player.
The information was advanced today by the Chinese newspaper The Paper, which cites sources linked to the public station.
In China, satires addressed to former leaders and historical figures associated with the Chinese Communist Party (PCC) can be punished under legislation that criminalises the “difference of heroes and martyrs”.