John Cena has issued an apology to China for calling Taiwan a country, and social media is fighting back.
During a promotional interview for "Fast & Furious 9" with Taiwanese broadcaster TVBS, the actor and WWE star said, "Taiwan is the first country that can watch F9," according to CNN.
Taiwan is a self-governed, democratic nation, but China claims it is part of its territory. China has been exerting increasing pressure to police speech on the topic globally.
Cena earlier this week on social media released a video in which he apologized, although not specifically for the Taiwan comment.
"I must say now that, very very very importantly, I love and respect China and Chinese people," Cena said on Chinese social media platform Weibo, according to Mediaite. "I’m very, very sorry about my mistake. I apologize, I’m very sorry. You must understand that I really love, really respect China and the Chinese people. My apologies. See you."
Cena's video drew more than 7,000 responses on Weibo, with many critics still fuming about his remarks.
"Please say 'Taiwan is part of China' in Chinese, otherwise we will not accept," one person wrote, according to CNN.
"I don't understand why the Chinese people should be so tolerant to him, who has a vague political stance while profiting from Chinese people," another wrote.
On the opposite end of the scale, Cena's apology caused an uproar on Twitter.
"Taiwan is a country, @JohnCena. A free one, unlike the PRC. It’s also not committing genocide. You should be ashamed of yourself. Was your career worth your self-respect?" one Twitter user wrote.
"John Cena endlessly apologizes to China in the Chinese language after calling Taiwan, a country during a promotional interview. Grow a spine, John Cena. Taiwan is a country. The facts won’t change because the Chinese hate them," another person tweeted.
"Never took John Cena for a shameful cur, but there you have it," a third responded to Cena's apology.
Prominent names also pushed back at Cena's apology. Among them was Ben Shapiro, who implied the "Fast & The Furious" star was a coward.
"Taiwan is a country. Hong Kong should be free. If you are unwilling to say these things because it might hurt your bottom line, you are a pathetic coward. cc @JohnCena @KingJames," he tweeted.
Former GOP congressional candidate Lavern Spicer also weighed in on the matter.
"John Cena "really loves” and “really respects” China. Wonder if it’s their human rights violations or their virus-making skills that sold him?" she added on Twitter.
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