Former WWE wrestler turned actor John Cena apologized to Chinese fans on Weibo after calling Taiwan a country during his promotional interview for his movie Fast and Furious 9. Australian Broadcasting Corporation reported that the apology of Cena in his Weibo account was posted on Tuesday as outrage about his comment waved across the Weibo.

Variety noted that apart from the video, the Fast and Furious 9 star also posted a written statement on his Weibo account as he addressed the issue.

John Cena Apologizes on Weibo for Calling Taiwan a "Country"

In his apology video, John Cena addressed the issue using Mandarin. However, Al Jazeera reported that the Weibo post of the star sparked further anger on the Chinese social media as the users condemned the former wrestler for not stating Taiwan as a part of China. Beijing argued that the democratically run Taiwan is part of its territory.

"I did many interviews for Fast and Furious 9, and I made a mistake during one interview," John Cena said in the video while speaking in Mandarin. John Cena also expressed his love for China and its people in the video. The former wrestler did not repeat the said "controversial term."

The apology also gained attention in the United States as critics placed John Cena under fire, labeling the movement as "bowing to China." Variety also mentioned a top comment in John Cena's apology video urging the actor to say that Taiwan is a part of China or they won't accept his apology.

John Cena's apology stemmed out when the Fast and Furious 9 star had an interview with Taiwanese news channel TVBS earlier in May. John Cena said in mandarin that Taiwan would be the "first country" that will see the latest installment of the Fast and Furious Franchise.

Fast and Furious 9 in Taiwan

Fast and Furious 9 entered the box office during its May 21 release in China. Forecasts reported that the film will garner at least $232 million during its run in China. Earlier predictions noted that the film will gather $337 million.

In Taiwan, the premiere of Fast and Furious 9 was canceled due to the growing coronavirus pandemic and outbreak. However, it remains unclear if the comments of the former WWE wrestler will result in an overall boycott by Chinese people or authorities pulling the film from their screens.

Variety mentioned that in recent months, American films were pulled out by Beijing over lesser offenses thought to insult China. Monster Hunter was pulled out from the screens after a day in December over the country's interpretation of a three-line joke. Nomadland was also not aired in the theaters because of a since-deleted interview that occurred eight years ago.

Although the Fast and Furious 9 star John Cena has not yet experienced a Chinese boycott over his comment in Taiwan, entities like NBA and global fashion giants were boycotted by the country.

WATCH: John Cena Apologizes To China For Calling Taiwan A Country - from Access