Former NBA star Dwight Howard apologized on Friday for referring to Taiwan as a "country" in a promotional video filmed with Lai Ching-te, a senior Taiwan figure, after netizens from the Chinese mainland expressed anger online.

Netizens accused Howard of promoting "Taiwan independence" and asked him to apologize.

One netizen wrote on social media: "He must apologize! But even so, he will not be forgiven." Another netizen wrote: "He should be banned from making money in the mainland."

Howard said he did not intend to offend anyone and offered his apologies when asked by reporters to comment on the online reaction at an event, media reported on Friday.