China confirms contacts with Real Madrid
By the AFREEQUE newsroom, based on La Nouvelle Tribune
China’s ambassador to Spain, Yao Jing, confirmed on 6 November that Beijing is in contact with Real Madrid, La Liga and other Spanish institutions over the controversy involving Kylian Mbappé and Mao Zedong. The communications come after CCTV suspended La Liga broadcasts and several Chinese brands ended partnerships with the player, according to EFE reported by La Nouvelle Tribune.
China’s ambassador to Spain, Yao Jing, said on 6 November in Salamanca that Beijing is in contact with Real Madrid, La Liga and other Spanish institutions over the controversy involving Kylian Mbappé and Mao Zedong, according to the EFE news agency. The diplomat said these were not formal negotiations, but communications based on mutual understanding.
Yao Jing said the episode had hurt part of Chinese public opinion and that time was needed for the public to “digest” the situation. His attaché, Xie Tianyu, also said the issue was difficult for Chinese Real Madrid supporters.
Chinese state broadcaster CCTV suspended broadcasts of La Liga matches, while Chinese companies Dongpeng, Mengniu and Milkground ended their partnerships with Kylian Mbappé despite the player’s apology. La Liga president Javier Tebas had met Yao Jing the previous week and Real Madrid sent a letter of apology to the Chinese people.
The contacts come after La Liga president Javier Tebas expressed a desire to negotiate in China following the boycott. La Liga president wants to negotiate in China, according to a publication dated 2 November.
