(UTV | COLOMBO) – WWE star John Cena has apologised to China for calling Taiwan a country.
The actor and former professional wrestling champion described Taiwan as a country in a promotional video for the latest Fast and Furious film.
The interview prompted a backlash in China, which considers self-ruling Taiwan to be part of its territory.
Mr Cena has now posted a video message on social media in which he speaks in Chinese and says sorry for his “mistake”.
John Cena to China after calling Taiwan a country: I love and respect China and Chinese people. I’m very, very sorry about my mistake. I apologise, I apologise, I’m very sorry.
He’s promoting Fast and Furious 9pic.twitter.com/y1NpAkGFVj
— Shubhangi Sharma (@ItsShubhangi) May 25, 2021
The controversy began when Mr Cena said Taiwan would be the first “country” to be able to watch Fast and Furious 9, in an interview with Taiwanese broadcaster TVBS (in Chinese).
Taiwan is a self-governed island state separated from mainland China by the Taiwan Strait. Beijing opposes the suggestion Taiwan is an independent state.
