French football star Mbappe cancelled in China over meme featuring Mao Zedong | October 27, 2026

Mbappe loses sponsorship deals in China after video circulated online showed footballer appearing to joke about former Chinese leader Mao Zedong. Also on East Asia Tonight, Germany on a diplomatic blitz with its president in China and chancellor in Singapore. Meanwhile, South Korea says North Korea may have raised the issue on talks with the US when leader Kim Jong Un visited China over the weekend.

00:00 Introduction
01:33 Major Chinese brands drop Mbappe
06:38 German president in China, chancellor in Singapore
09:35 Seoul says US, North Korea dialogue possible
14:00 Alibaba wins injunction against Pentagon
26:59 'Squad' countries set to meet in Cebu
36:03 Japan officials meet detained journalist
38:06 UN climate report
39:34 Singapore looks to strengthen haze laws
46:15 Hong Kong looks to cash in on Halloween