Kylian Mbappé faces backlash in China over Mao Zedong meme controversy

Consensus Summary

Kylian Mbappé, the 27-year-old French football star, has become the latest global figure to face severe backlash in China after a video surfaced of him joking about a meme depicting him as Mao Zedong. The clip, from an interview with *The Bridge* in 2023, shows Mbappé referring to Mao as 'a guy — I think he’s a Chinese dictator,' sparking outrage among Chinese brands and state media. Within hours, companies like Dongpeng Beverage Group and Mengniu terminated their partnerships with him, citing 'zero tolerance' for conduct that 'hurts national feelings.' The controversy escalated as Chinese social media platforms trended with discussions about the incident, though many users remained unclear about Mbappé’s exact remarks due to censorship and lack of translation by platforms like Dongqiudi.

The incident underscores the enduring sensitivity surrounding Mao Zedong’s legacy in China, 50 years after his death in 1976. Mao, the founding leader of modern China, remains a polarizing figure, with his policies—such as the Great Leap Forward, which some estimates blame for killing as many as 30 million people—still debated. While the Chinese Communist Party officially acknowledges the Cultural Revolution as a 'grave mistake,' Mao is still revered as a revolutionary hero by many. The backlash against Mbappé reflects broader tensions in China, where jokes about leaders are considered taboo, and foreign figures risk severe consequences for perceived disrespect, as seen with previous cases involving the NBA and celebrities like John Cena.

Key figures in the controversy include Mbappé himself, who issued an apology calling his comments 'ill-judged' and acknowledging they 'hurt many people in China.' La Liga also released a statement expressing regret for the offense caused. Chinese state media, including the foreign ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun, condemned Mbappé’s 'remarks and deeds,' stating they would face 'joint rejection' from Chinese society. Brands like Dongpeng Beverage Group emphasized their 'zero-tolerance' policy, with one company’s announcement topping Weibo’s trending chart with nearly 400 million views. The rapid response from both Chinese authorities and corporations highlights the high stakes for foreign entities operating in the country, where political sensitivities can lead to swift financial and reputational damage.

While both the *Guardian* and ABC agree on the core details of the incident, their reporting diverges in emphasis and specific claims. The *Guardian* focuses on the broader cultural and political context, noting a resurgence of interest in Mao among younger Chinese and the challenges of gauging public opinion due to censorship. It also highlights Mbappé’s nickname 'the dictator' as a pre-existing joke from his time at Paris Saint-Germain. Meanwhile, ABC provides more granular details, such as the timing of Dongpeng’s termination announcement in April 2023 and references to the 100-yuan note on Chinese social media. The *Guardian* also includes a specific financial estimate of Mbappé’s commercial deals in China, worth 'as much as $30m (£22.6m) per year,' which ABC does not mention.

The unresolved aspects of the controversy include the authenticity of the video, which neither ABC nor the *Guardian* could independently verify. Additionally, the long-term impact on Mbappé’s career and brand partnerships remains uncertain, though his swift apology suggests an attempt to mitigate further fallout. The incident also raises questions about the influence of state-backed censorship on public discourse in China, as platforms like Dongqiudi chose not to translate Mbappé’s remarks, leaving many users in the dark about the specifics of the offense. As the situation unfolds, the case serves as a stark reminder of the risks foreign figures face when navigating China’s complex political and cultural landscape.