Chinese Brands Sever Ties with Kylian Mbappe Following Controversial Comments

Corporate Response to Controversial Remarks

French national soccer team captain Kylian Mbappe is facing a commercial fallout in China after comments he made regarding Mao Zedong appeared on social media. Three major Chinese companies—beverage maker Dongpeng, dairy giant Mengniu, and cheese producer Milkground—have formally ended their endorsement agreements with the soccer star.

The companies released statements citing their opposition to "any words and actions that hurt national sentiment" following the circulation of a video clip. In the video, filmed during an interview for the French talk show *The Bridge*, Mbappe discusses an internet meme that features his face superimposed onto an image of Mao Zedong, whom he referred to as a "Chinese dictator."

Impact and Digital Backlash

• Brand Cancellations: Dongpeng, Mengniu, and Milkground have terminated their respective contracts with Mbappe.
• Platform Restrictions: The social media platform RedNote stated its content partnership with the player concluded on December 31, 2024, and it is removing promotional materials. Mbappe’s account on the platform was also restricted from accepting new followers.
• Public Sentiment: On the microblogging site Weibo, hashtags related to the brand boycotts trended heavily. Social media users expressed significant disapproval, with some calling for a total boycott of the athlete.

Official Stance

Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson Guo Jiakun addressed the situation, stating that actions perceived as harming the feelings of the Chinese people would face opposition from across Chinese society.

As of the current report, representatives for Kylian Mbappe have not provided a public comment regarding the termination of these contracts. Supporters and stakeholders can verify the official stances of the involved corporations through their verified corporate press releases or official social media channels on Chinese platforms.