China

Mbappé Faces China Backlash After Referring to Mao as a “Dictator”

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By Scott Huang/Ted Chen/Yvonne Yang

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French football star Kylian Mbappé is facing backlash in China after referring to late Chinese leader Mao Zedong as a “dictator” during an online talk show. The Real Madrid forward was discussing viral memes when he described an image showing his face edited onto Mao’s body. China’s foreign ministry said remarks that hurt the feelings of the Chinese people would be met with societal resistance. Although Mbappé quickly apologized, major brands have reportedly ended endorsement deals with him, while Chinese state TV has stopped broadcasting La Liga matches. The controversy has also drawn comparisons to past cases involving foreign athletes and China.