Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun

When asked to comment on French football star Kylian Mbappé's apology for his erroneous remarks, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun said on Wednesday that we attach importance to the apology made by the person concerned.

Mbappé apologized to the Chinese people on Tuesday after his erroneous remarks triggered widespread criticism in China. "My comment was ill-judged, and I now understand that it hurt many people in China and in Chinese communities around the world," Mbappé said in a statement.

"I apologize to everyone my words have upset. This was absolutely not my intention. I have deep respect for the Chinese people and their history, and I am sincerely sorry," he added.

Spanish football club Real Madrid has apologized to the Chinese people for remarks made by Mbappé that sparked widespread criticism in China. The club expressed its respect for the country's history, culture, and citizens in a statement published on its official website on Wednesday.

In a statement on Tuesday, the Chinese Football Association said it attached great importance to the incident and had immediately lodged serious representations with Real Madrid, demanding that the player involved and the club issue formal public apologies.

Several Chinese companies have announced the termination of their commercial partnerships with the Real Madrid forward.

Global Times