The Mbappé 'Insult to Mao' Controversy: Is Beijing Behind It?

The Mbappé 'Insult to Mao' Controversy: Is Beijing Behind It? (Video)
 

[People News] Hello, dear viewers, and welcome to 'Hotspot Frontline.' I am Xiaokun.

'Just curse when told to; why ask so many questions!' This phrase has recently gone viral on Chinese social media! A netizen asked a man who was angrily cursing Mbappé, 'What exactly did he say that made you so angry?' To everyone's surprise, the man responded in this way! This has amused many netizens, with some sarcastically commenting, 'I don’t even know what he said, and he already apologised to me!'

A French football star has unexpectedly triggered a collective reaction from Chinese state media, businesses, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, even involving the U.S. Congress! What’s particularly intriguing is that this uproar erupted during the CCP's Fifth Plenary Session, coinciding with the death anniversary of former Premier Li Keqiang. Some suspect that this might be a trap set by the CCP for Mbappé.

A single word 'dictator' ignites a major controversy

The origins of this uproar are indeed quite absurd.

In April of this year, Mbappé participated in the recording of the French online program 'The Bridge.' While discussing a meme created by netizens, he mentioned an image that linked him to the 'Chinese dictator,' which he found quite amusing. This 'Chinese dictator' refers to Mao Zedong.

Who would have thought that on October 26, after this behind-the-scenes footage was released, the Chinese internet would suddenly explode! Even more absurdly, Chinese media repeatedly accused Mbappé of 'insulting China,' yet they dared not publicly translate what he actually said. As a result, Chinese netizens could only engage in speculation.

Some have claimed that he insulted 'the person on the one hundred yuan bill'; others referred to it as 'the teacher', while some simply used letters to replace sensitive terms.

This is quite peculiar! A leader who has been deceased for 50 years cannot even be mentioned by name, yet all Chinese citizens are expected to express outrage on his behalf! Did Mbappé truly say something inappropriate, or do the Chinese people lack even the right to know the truth?

The entire nation condemns! The star athlete issues repeated apologies.

What transpired next resembled a political farce. On October 27, multiple Chinese companies announced they were terminating their partnerships with Mbappé, and state media launched a series of criticisms, adversely affecting related commercial activities.

Following this, Mbappé publicly apologised, asserting that he did not intend to offend the Chinese people and that he respects China's culture and history. The producers of the program, La Liga, and Real Madrid also issued apologies in succession. The president of La Liga even met with the Chinese ambassador to Spain, hoping to prevent this incident from harming cooperation between both parties.

However, the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) appears to remain unsatisfied. On October 28, CCP spokesperson Guo Jiakun was questioned about the incident and merely stated, 'We value the apology made by the parties involved,' without clearly indicating whether it was accepted.

A football star made a joke, and it unexpectedly escalated into a political storm that has impacted the international sports community! In the United States, it is commonplace for politicians to be satirised.

The U.S. Congress responds! Who is the dictator of today?

As the CCP's state media was condemning him, the U.S. House of Representatives' Special Committee on U.S.-China Strategic Competition also publicly expressed its stance. The committee asserts that Mao Zedong was indeed a dictator, and Mbappé should not have to apologise for this.

The statement also highlighted that the political disasters during Mao Zedong's era, including the Great Famine and the Cultural Revolution, led to the deaths of tens of millions. French media have started to reevaluate Mao Zedong's historical legacy.

What stands out most about this incident is its timing!

The incident involving Mbappé's insult to China broke out on October 26, coinciding with the opening of the Fifth Plenary Session of the Communist Party of China. Additionally, there were reports online about 14 universities opposing Xi Jinping's re-election. In response, state media quickly launched a coordinated attack, businesses rushed to declare their positions, and nationalist sentiments surged. This public opinion storm rapidly diverted attention from the Fifth Plenary Session, Xi Jinping's re-election, and the anniversary of Li Keqiang's death.

Is this just a coincidence, or is the Communist Party of China’s propaganda machine exploiting the situation? Mbappé likely never anticipated that a meme he casually referenced would become embroiled in China's most sensitive power politics.

Who is the true dictator of China today? Did the Communist Party of China deliberately set a trap for Mbappé? Dear viewers, what are your thoughts? Please share your comments in the section below. Thank you for watching 'Hotspot Frontline,' and see you next time! △