Nike has pulled some of its items from the market in China, "based on feedback from Chinese consumers”, after a fashion designer's support for protests in Hong Kong sparked a social media backlash.

"We have withdrawn from China a small number of products that were designed by a collaborator," a Nike (NKE) spokesperson told CNN Business.

According to The Financial Times, the brand had removed a line of sneakers made in partnership with Japan's Undercover, which is led by designer Jun Takahashi.

The Japanese label took flak over its support for the recent demonstrations staged in Hong Kong to protest against a bill that would have allowed the extradition of criminal suspects to mainland China.

"No Extradition To China. Go Hong Kong," Undercover posted earlier this month to its Instagram Story.