The player has not been seen in public for more than two weeks after a political leader accused him of sexual abuse.
There is growing concern about the fate of Chinese tennis star Peng Shuai, who has not been seen in public more than two weeks after a senior Chinese Communist Party leader accused him of sexual abuse.
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On Thursday, the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) revealed that it failed to contact Ms Peng after “repeatedly” tried to contact her. The WTA also questioned Ms. Peng’s alleged statement that was issued by a Chinese English-language broadcaster. china global television network (CGTN).
In a statement that appeared to be a screenshot of a Word document shared by CGTN on Twitter, Ms Peng said she was “fine” and “resting” at home. It could not be verified whether he actually wrote the statement.
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“Hello everyone, it’s Peng Shuai,” the statement began. Peng and the WTA expressing concern about the allegations, “with respect to the recently released new ones on the WTA’s official website, the content has not been confirmed or confirmed.”
“The news in that release,” it continued, “including the allegation of sexual assault, is not true. I am not missing, nor am I unsafe. I am now resting at home and all is well.”
However, the statement was not published by official Chinese media in Mandarin, and was only tweeted by CGTN. It appears to be aimed at an international audience and to address concerns voiced not only by the WTA but by many tennis stars in recent times, including Naomi Osaka and Novak Djokovic. In China, however, news about Ms Peng’s allegations is heavily censored and her account on Twitter’s counterpart Sina Weibo is hidden from public view.
The WTA questioned on Thursday whether Ms Peng had written the statement.
“The statement issued today by Chinese state media regarding Peng Shuai only raises my concerns regarding his safety and whereabouts,” WTA President Steve Simon said.
“I have a hard time believing that Peng Shuai actually wrote the email we received or believed in what was being attributed to him. Peng Shuai made sexual harassment allegations against a former top official in the Chinese government. Showed incredible courage in describing it. The WTA and the rest of the world need independent and verifiable proof that he is safe. I have repeatedly tried to reach him through multiple means of communication, to no avail. Ko Peng Shuai She must be allowed to speak freely, without coercion or intimidation from any source. Her allegation of sexual harassment must be respected, investigated with complete transparency and without censorship. Needs to be listened to and respected, not censored or directed.
The original post by Ms. Peng on 2 November was immediately deleted, while any references to her were subsequently censored on Weibo. In an emotional message, she said that she was sexually harassed by senior party leader and former deputy prime minister Zhang Gaoli. She told how 10 years ago, when she was 25, Mr. Zhang, 65, and his wife had invited her over to the house before assaulting her. He then went on to describe how they later began a year-long relationship, until Mr Zhang broke it in 2012 when he was promoted to the Politburo Standing Committee, the party’s top body. He resumed the affair three years ago when, Ms. Peng said, he forced her to have sex again while his wife was guarding the door.
Ms Osaka was among several tennis stars who expressed concern about the allegations and Ms Peng’s safety. Ms Osaka said in a statement that she was “recently informed of a fellow tennis player who disappeared shortly after disclosing that she had been sexually abused.” “Censorship is not okay at any cost, I hope Peng Shuai and his family are safe and well,” she said. “I am shocked by the current situation and I am sending her love and light.”
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