The Foreign Ministry in Beijing on Tuesday said that hurting the feelings of the country's people would meet "unanimous rejection" after football star Kylian Mbappe's comments about former leader Mao Zedong.

The French footballer's recent comments, in which he appeared to mock the founding leader of the People's Republic of China, resulted in two major Chinese brands dropping their sponsorship deals with the player.

"We have seen the relevant reports. Words and actions that hurt the feelings of the Chinese people will naturally be met with unanimous rejection from all sectors of Chinese society," Foreign Ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun told a regular briefing.

"Our company firmly opposes and has a zero-tolerance policy towards any behaviour that offends national sentiments," drinks giant Dongpeng said in a statement, adding that "with immediate effect we are terminating all cooperation with Kylian Mbappe".

Mengniu, China's largest dairy producer, also cut ties with the Real Madrid forward. (AFP)


Edited by Edmond Fong