Beijing on Wednesday conveyed that it took seriously an apology from Real Madrid superstar Kylian Mbappe after he made controversial comments about former leader Mao Zedong. Foreign Ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun stated at a regular briefing that the apology was taken seriously. Despite Mbappe's apology, the incident led to significant consequences, including major Chinese brands terminating their sponsorship deals with the player and Spanish football being suspended from television broadcasts. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs emphasized that it would not tolerate any actions that hurt the feelings of the country's people, reflecting the seriousness with which such incidents are treated by the Chinese government. Mbappe later issued a sincere apology, admitting that his comment was ill-judged and acknowledging that it had offended many people in China and in Chinese diaspora communities worldwide. He expressed his deep respect for the Chinese people and their history, reiterating his apology.
The incident has further highlighted the sensitivity surrounding references to Mao Zedong in international media and sports, underscoring the global impact of China's cultural and social policies. Such events often serve as a test of international sensitivity towards Chinese history and national sentiments, demonstrating the importance of careful language and awareness of cultural contexts in international relations.