Chinese brands drop footballer Mbappe over remarks 'hurting national sentiments'

MADRID, SPAIN - JULY 16, 2024: Chinese brands have ended partnerships with Real Madrid forward Kylian Mbappe over remarks "hurting national sentiments."

The move followed the circulation of a video in which Mbappe, a French national, appears to say that his favorite meme is "the one where they put my face on a Chinese dictator (Mao Zedong)," adding that it makes him laugh and that he shares it with friends.

The video's authenticity has not been independently verified.

China's Foreign Ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun also weighed in on the issue.

"Words and actions that hurt the feelings of the Chinese people will naturally be met with joint resistance from all sectors of Chinese society," Guo told reporters in Beijing, according to an official transcript of his news briefing.

Dongpeng Beverage Group announced Tuesday that it was terminating its contract with Mbappe, according to Shanghai-based news outlet Guancha.

The company said it firmly opposed and had "zero tolerance" for behavior that hurts national sentiments. Mbappe was the face of Bushuila, Dongpeng's electrolyte drink brand.

Earlier, Chinese football platform Dongqiudi said late Monday that Mbappe had made inappropriate remarks about China in a recent interview, which "hurt the feelings of China and the Chinese people."

Mengniu, one of China's largest dairy producers, has also ended its cooperation with Mbappe over the issue, saying that the company does not tolerate "words or actions that hurt the feelings of the Chinese people," according to Jimu News.