Shanghai, October 8: China's state-run broadcaster said on Tuesday it would "immediately suspend" plans to broadcast a pair of NBA pre-season exhibition games being staged in China this week as the fallout grew over an NBA's executive's tweet in support of protesters in Hong Kong. China's Xi Jinping and India's Narendra Modi to Hold Summit This Week Amid Strains.

"We believe that any comments that challenge national sovereignty and social stability is not within the scope of freedom of speech," China Central Television (CCTV) said on its social media account.

"To this end, CCTV's Sports Channel has decided to immediately suspend plans to broadcast the NBA preseason (China Games) and will immediately investigate all cooperation and communication involving the NBA."

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Oct 08, 2019 01:20 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).