Another video from China’s state media, in which the tennis player Peng Shuai, who is believed to have disappeared, is alleged to be seen, has not calmed down for the time being. Hu Xijin, editor-in-chief of the state newspaper Global Times, posted a short clip on Twitter showing Peng Shuai at the opening of a youth tennis tournament in Beijing on Sunday. WTA boss Steve Simon already sent an email to the Chinese ambassador to the USA on Friday.
In the letter to Qin Gang, which has now also been published via social networks, Simon makes two demands. First, there needs to be independent and verifiable confirmation that Peng Shuai is safe. “I am requesting that she be allowed to leave the country or that she can speak to me live on a teleconference without anyone else being there, unless it is authorized by her,” wrote Simon. Second, the allegation of sexual assault should be taken seriously.
As already reported, the WTA is questioning its further cooperation with China if the cause is not resolved satisfactorily. “We have nine tournaments in China, with the prestigious final in Shenzhen … If our two requests are not granted, we have no choice but to consider playing in China again,” said Simon. “Simply put,” adds the WTA boss, “the WTA is at a crossroads with China.” He hoped the ambassador would pass this message on to the Chinese leadership.
Incidentally, on the said video you can see how Peng Shuai and other guests are called by name and greeted by the audience with applause. She waves and smiles briefly, but does not speak up herself.
In early November, Peng Shuai accused senior communist party official Zhang Gaol of sexual assault on the Weibo social network. The former double winner at Wimbledon and the French Open accused the ex-Vice Prime Minister, who is now over 70, of forcing her to have sex in the past. Peng and Zhang had had a relationship with many interruptions for years. The 35-year-old Chinese woman has not been seen in public since then.
On Friday evening, the Chinese state television allegedly distributed current photos of the tennis star on Twitter. On Saturday, a video was distributed – also via Twitter – that Peng Shuai is supposed to show while having dinner with friends in a Beijing restaurant.
“This video alone is not enough,” said Simon on the restaurant clip. “While it is positive to see her, it remains unclear whether she is free and able to make her own decisions.” It is not clear whether she can act without coercion. He continues to worry about their health and safety and that their sexual assault allegations are obviously being censored, Simon said.
In the past few days, worldwide clarification has been demanded in the case of the former number one in the double world rankings. Even President Joe Biden’s White House expressed “deep concern”. Meanwhile, after France and the United States, the British government has called on China to provide “verifiable evidence” of Peng’s “safety and fate”. “Everyone should be allowed to speak out without fear of the repercussions,” said the State Department’s statement. “Every reported case of sexual assault, anywhere in the world, will be investigated.”
France went a step further on Sunday: Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian threatened China with diplomatic consequences if the government did not allow Peng Shuai to speak in public. “In this matter, I am only waiting for one thing, and that is for Peng Shuai to speak himself,” said the minister on Sunday on French radio station RTL. If not, China must expect diplomatic consequences.
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