China suspends La Liga broadcasts over Mbappé's Mao Zedong comments

China has suspended La Liga broadcasts and Mbappé's matches over his joke about Mao Zedong, despite accepting his apology.

A video of Kylian Mbappé joking about Mao Zedong, filmed in April but shared on social media Monday, has triggered a major diplomatic incident in China. Mbappé apologized on Tuesday, saying he was "sincerely sorry," but the backlash has intensified.

China's state media group CMG confirmed Tuesday it has suspended La Liga broadcasts, all matches involving Mbappé, and advertisements featuring him. On Wednesday, China's Foreign Ministry said it takes his apology "seriously," but the suspension remains in place pending further action from Real Madrid. CMG rejected the club's explanation that Mbappé was exercising free speech, stating his comments "exceed the bounds of freedom of expression" and that the club bears "heavy responsibility."

Three major Chinese companies—Dongpeng, Mengniu, and Milkground—have ended sponsorship deals with the France captain, citing zero tolerance for remarks that "hurt national feelings." Mao Zedong remains a revered figure in Chinese state ideology, and criticism of him is seen as indirect criticism of the Communist Party and current leader Xi Jinping.