Italian automaker Ferrari has issued an apology for performing car stunts on an ancient city wall in Nanjing, capital of Jiangsu province, People's Daily reports.

The auto company Tuesday issued a statement on its official Weibo, saying it respects Chinese culture and is working to resolve the problems caused by its distributor Kuaiyi Automobile.

A crane hoisted the car to the top of the wall and video of the event shows the red Ferrari doing 360 degree turns, leaving dark black tire marks on the grey brick of the wall that dates back to the Ming Dynasty(1368-1644).

The affected section near the eastern city's Gate of China - a renowned ancient ceremonial gateway - is said to be among the best preserved sections of the wall.

Xinhua news agency said the car involved was a special edition Ferrari 458 Italia valued at six million yuan ($950,000) and the organizers of the event spent more than $12,000 to hold the ceremony at the site.

Chinese web users condemned the stunt claiming the actions could possibly permanently damage the protected landmark with a history of 600 years. Nanjing local officials said the event has resulted in some damage to the protected wall.

Yang Houyin, the official responsible for the city wall's protection and management, was removed from his post after the event took place.