Mbappé’s ‘Chinese dictator’ comment: How do Chinese people react?

Loading the video World News Video. Mbappé’s ‘Chinese dictator’ comment: How do Chinese people react? Copy/paste the link below: Copy/paste the article video embed link below: Updated: 2 November 2026 - 10:24 GMT+1 French football star Kylian Mbappé has apologised after comments about a meme depicting him as Chinese leader Mao Zedong sparked a backlash in China. ADVERTISEMENT ADVERTISEMENT In a video clip, Mbappé was asked about his favourite meme of himself. He replied that it was “a video someone made of a guy ... I think he was a Chinese dictator”, before an altered image showed his face on Mao’s body. The controversy has spread across Chinese social media. At least three Chinese companies have terminated brand deals with the footballer, and China's Foreign Ministry has responded to the incident. In Beijing, some residents said they were unsure what Mbappé had said, while others believe he should apologise again. Chinese state broadcaster CCTV also pulled a Real Madrid La Liga match from its Sunday broadcast schedule following the controversy. Kylian Mbappé Mbappe China Top stories Now playing Next Mbappé’s ‘Chinese dictator’ comment: How do Chinese people react? Now playing Next Dashcam captures deadly private jet crash in Florida Now playing Next Serbia remembers 16 victims of Novi Sad railway station collapse Now playing Next Latest news bulletin | November 2nd, 2026 – Morning Now playing Next Paris riots: France investigates after petrol bomb sets officer on fire Now playing Next Londoners revive medieval jousting on electric bikes in Halloween spectacle Now playing Next Poland's president has 'no competence' to appoint judges, says EPP MEP Now playing Next Heidi Klum turns herself into a giant severed hand for Halloween Now playing Next Russia reports 'massive' drone attack on 'industrial enterprise' Now playing Next Germany 'Gen Z' protests turn violent as shops looted Now playing Next Flags, banners and chants at youth protest in Berlin Now playing Next Poland’s Tusk strikes defiant tone over court clash, vows rule of law Now playing Next 'Now, thank God, we have water': Uzbekistan’s tap water reaches 83% of people, but gaps remain Now playing Next Europe seeks Central Asia's critical minerals as producers push for local processing Now playing Next 'Absolutely no legal basis' for chaotic scenes in Poland's top court, says Polish secretary of state Now playing Next Europe doesn't 'care enough' about Ebola outbreak in DR Congo, says Mary Robinson ADVERTISEMENT ADVERTISEMENT North Korea Swiss foreign minister makes first North Korea visit since 2003 as diplomatic office reopens Iran Iran’s Revolutionary Guard reports three tankers on fire in Strait of Hormuz as talks continue Azerbaijan Islamic states prosecutors call for global enforcement coalition Korea North Korea warns South Korea with ballistic missiles as Seoul calls for talks to ease border tensions Europe Today Europe Today: Tusk v Nawrocki: Poland's Constitutional Tribunal crisis explodes Europe News Initial results show Bulgaria's acting president Yotova wins runoff election Europe News Heidi Klum's 2026 Halloween party costume: a giant bloody replica of her own hand No Comment Looted shops, burning barricades as riots erupt in Frankfurt No Comment Heidi Klum turns herself into a giant severed hand for Halloween Europe News Germany 'Gen Z' protests turn violent as shops looted No Comment Flags, banners and chants at youth protest in Berlin Europe News Bulgarians head to the polls in tense presidential runoff ADVERTISEMENT Culture Series The world according to Ellen von Unwerth: Glamour, sensuality and photography Europe News Russia says 'massive' drone attack targeted 'industrial enterprise' amid reports oil refinery hit Europe News Poland crisis: Donald Tusk strikes defiant tone vowing ‘no compromise’ on rule of law after Tribunal clash Sport Abu Dhabi Grand Slam 2026: Heavyweights deliver a spectacular finale Europe News Spain observes third day of mourning as unions demand urgent action following deadly train collision Art 'Northern women and esotericism': Life after death explored at Finnish National Gallery Europe News Evacuees from Russian-occupied Oleshky arrive in Ukraine amid localised truce between Kyiv and Moscow Culture news Travelling beyond the borders of Baku through fiction ADVERTISEMENT ADVERTISEMENT