China 'takes seriously' Kylian Mbappé's apologies over Mao Zedong remarks

China's foreign ministry said it takes seriously Mbappé's apology for calling Mao Zedong a dictator in response to a meme.

Kylian Mbappé apologized on Tuesday after sparking controversy by calling Mao Zedong a dictator in reaction to a meme that compared him to the former Chinese leader. The France captain issued a statement saying his remarks were clumsy and he now understands they hurt many people in China and the Chinese community worldwide.

China's foreign ministry responded on Wednesday, with spokesman Guo Jiakun saying at a regular press briefing: "We take seriously the apologies presented by the person concerned." Mbappé said in his statement: "I have deep respect for the Chinese people and their history, and I am sincerely sorry."