A Chinese Houston Rockets fan has been arrested after posting a picture of him intending to burn the country's national flag while wearing the team's jersey to express his loyalty for the US basketball franchise.

The news came as NBA and Houston Rockets face mounting pressure and criticism from Beijing after Rockets general manager Daryl Morey showed his support for the anti-government protests in Hong Kong on Twitter.

China's state broadcaster today announced they would stop airing two scheduled NBA pre-season games after NBA Commissioner Adam Silver promised to protect members' right to free speech.

A Houston Rockets in China has been arrested (right) after posting a picture of him holding a lighter and a Chinese national flag in support of the team (left). The 25-year-old, named by police as Wang, wrote 'I live and die with the team' before being apprehended in Liaoyuan

The 25-year-old Rockets supporter, named by police as Wang, posted a picture of him holding a lighter and a small Chinese national flag on social media.

Wang, a musician, also wore an eye-patch in the picture, prompting speculation that he was a supporter of the anti-Beijing movement in Hong Kong.

Eye-patches have been one of the props used by pro-democracy activists after one demonstrator was hit in the eye by police with a round of bean bag in a rally in August.

The web user, named by police as Wang, was wearing an eye-patch in the picture, prompting speculation that he was a support of the anti-Beijing movement in Hong Kong. Above, a combination picture shows Hong Kong protesters wearing an eyepatch in reference to a demonstrator that was injured who was shot in the eye by police with a bean bag round

NBA and Houston Rockets face mounting pressure and criticism from Beijing after Rockets general manager Daryl Morey showed his support for the protests in Hong Kong on Twitter

The now-deleted picture was uploaded onto Twitter-like Weibo on Sunday to an account called 'Howard Wang Haoda' after Morey's tweeted 'Fight For Freedom. Stand With Hong Kong' - a post that enraged China.

Wang also showed his loyalty to the American sports team.

He wrote: 'I live and die with the team.'

He then taunted police by saying 'come and catch me'.

Wang was detained at the wee hours on Monday by police in Liaoyuan in north-eastern China's Jilin Province.

Police said Wang had published remarks that 'insulted' the Chinese national flag, according to a statement released by Liaoyuan Web Police on Weibo.

According to China's Criminal Law, anyone who 'purposely insults' the national flag by burning, destroying, scribbling, soiling, and trampling can be jailed up to three years.

The case is under investigation.

The pro-democracy movement in Hong Kong, which has lasted for four months, is the most sensitive and censored topic in mainland China at present. Pictured, a protester tosses a tear gas pellet on October 6 during a rally in Hong Kong against a newly enacted law to ban masks

According to China's Criminal Law, anyone who 'purposely insults' the national flag can be jailed for up to three years. Pictured, Beijing supporters wave Chinese flags in Hong Kong

Hong Kong's leader warns of military crackdown from China Hong Kong’s leader Carrie Lam today warned that the Chinese military could step in if the city's unrest 'becomes so bad', but reiterated the government still hopes to resolve the crisis itself. Ms Lam urged foreign critics to accept that the four months of protests marked by escalating violence were no longer 'a peaceful movement for democracy'. She said seeking Chinese intervention was provided for under Hong Kong’s constitution but that she cannot reveal under what circumstances she will do so. Advertisement

Houston Rockets shot to fame in China in 2002 when now-retired 7ft5in Shanghai-born centre Yao Ming joined the team through the NBA Draft that year.

Morey's initial tweet over the weekend included an image captioned: 'Fight For Freedom. Stand With Hong Kong.'

The post was later deleted and 47-year-old Morey, the NBA's executive of the year in 2018, said his views did not represent the team or league.

'I did not intend my tweet to cause any offence to Rockets fans and friends of mine in China,' Morey tweeted on Monday.

'I was merely voicing one thought, based on one interpretation, of one complicated event,' he said, adding that he had since heard and considered other perspectives.

In a separate statement, the NBA said 'we recognise that the views expressed by Houston Rockets General Manager Daryl Morey have deeply offended many of our friends and fans in China, which is regrettable'.

'I did not intend my tweet to cause any offence to Rockets fans and friends of mine in China,' Houston Rockets general manager Daryl Morey (pictured) tweeted as he apologised to Beijing

Morey's initial tweet included an image captioned: 'Fight For Freedom. Stand With Hong Kong'

Rockets star James Harden on Monday apologised to China as he distanced himself from the controversy.

Chinese state broadcaster CCTV said today it would no longer air two NBA preseason games set to be played in the country.

In a statement today, CCTV indicated the decision was prompted by NBA Commissioner Adam Silver's remarks, backing members' right to express their opinions.

Rockets star Harden has apologised to China and distanced himself from the controversy

The broadcaster is also reviewing all its cooperation and exchanges involving the NBA, said the statement posted to CCTV Sports' official social media account.

'We're strongly dissatisfied and oppose Adam Silver's claim to support Morey's right to freedom of expression,' CCTV said.

'We believe that any remarks that challenge national sovereignty and social stability are not within the scope of freedom of speech.'

NBA Commissioner Adam Silver (right) said on Tuesday the league supported freedom of speech and was not willing to kowtow to Beijing. Houston Rockets shot to fame in China when now-retired Shanghai-born centre Yao Ming (left, pictured in 2007) joined the team in 2002

A series of Chinese firms, including popular sports brand Li-Ning, have announced to cut ties with the US basketball league.

But NBA Commissioner Adam Silver said the league supported freedom of speech and was not willing to kowtow to Beijing.

Mr Silver said on Tuesday in Tokyo he would discuss the situation with officials from Chinese partners in Shanghai later this week.

He said he hoped Chinese fans would understand the league's position.