Chinese foreign ministry says it takes seriously Mbappe's apology

The foreign ministry says China takes note of the apology made by Kylian Mbappe regarding his controversial comments.

Spokesman Guo Jiakun says at a regular press briefing on Wednesday that Beijing "attaches importance to the apology by the individual concerned."

Earlier, the French footballer apologised for his "ill-judged" remarks in reaction to an image of himself regarding the late Chinese leader Mao Zedong .

Mbappe noted that he's sincerely sorry, emphasising this was absolutely not his intention and he has "deep respect for the Chinese people and their history."