Chinese tennis star Peng Shuai's recent video appearances have done nothing to remove concerns over her freedom, according to the Wome...
Chinese tennis star Peng Shuai's recent video appearances have done nothing to remove concerns over her freedom, according to the Women's Tennis Association (WTA).
Peng's welfare became a matter of international concern nearly three weeks ago after she alleged she had been raped by China's former Vice-Premier Zhang Gaoli.
The former doubles world number one appeared at a dinner with friends on Saturday, and at a children's tennis tournament in Beijing on Sunday.
Also on Sunday, Peng, 35, held a Zoom call with International Olympic Committee (IOC) chief Thomas Bach.
A WTA spokesman said today: 'It was good to see Peng Shuai in recent videos, but they don't alleviate or address the WTA's concern about her well-being and ability to communicate without censorship or coercion.'
Asked about the call with the IOC, the spokesman said: 'This video does not change our call for a full, fair and transparent investigation, without censorship, into her allegation of sexual assault, which is the issue that gave rise to our initial concern.'
The former doubles world number one signed giant tennis balls at a children's tournament in Beijing on Sunday
Peng appeared at a dinner with friends in the Chinese capital on Saturday
Peng joined IOC President Thomas Bach for a Zoom call on Sunday. The IOC said it 'was relieved to see that Peng Shuai was doing fine'
The IOC said that during the 30-minute call, Peng had agreed to join Bach at dinner when he visits Beijing next January - ahead of the Winter Olympics.
It said that Peng said she was safe and well at home in Beijing and wanted her privacy to be respected at this time.
Chair of the IOC Athletes' Commission, Emma Terho had joined Bach and Peng on the call and said: 'I was relieved to see that Peng Shuai was doing fine, which was our main concern.
'She appeared to be relaxed. I offered her our support and to stay in touch at any time of her convenience, which she obviously appreciated.'
Global rights groups and others have called for a boycott of the Winter Olympics in Beijing in February over China's human rights record.
The WTA has also threatened to pull tournaments out of China over the matter.
WTA chairman Steve Simon warned on Sunday that women's professional tennis was being put on a collision course with the Chinese state over its lack of transparency since the rape allegation was made.
Following the release of the footage showing Peng out to dinner, Simon said: 'This video alone is insufficient. As I have stated from the beginning, I remain concerned about Peng Shuai's health and safety and that the allegation of sexual assault is being censored and swept under the rug.
Peng Shuai signs large-sized tennis balls at the opening ceremony of Fila Kids Junior Tennis Challenger Final in Beijing Sunday
Peng Shuai (second left) showed up at the opening ceremony of a teenager tennis match final in Beijing on Sunday morning
'I have been clear about what needs to happen and our relationship with China is at a crossroads.'
Hu Xijin, the editor of the state-owned newspaper Global Times who has in recent days posted videos and photographs of Peng in Beijing, said on Twitter on Monday that her appearance should be enough to ease worries of 'those who truly care about (the) safety of Peng Shuai.
'But for those aiming to attack China's system and boycott the Beijing Winter Olympics, facts, no matter how many, don't work for them,' he said.
On November 2, Peng posted on Chinese social media that Zhang had coerced her into sex and they later had an on-off consensual relationship.
The post was deleted about half hour after it was posted.
Neither Zhang nor the Chinese government have commented on Peng's allegations.
Seven people including Peng were at the Sichuanese restaurant, said the manager, Zhou Hongmei, adding that they ate in a private room and were joined by the restaurant's owner
Ding posted images of Peng apparently visiting a restaurant in Beijing on Saturday night
China's State Council Information office did not immediately respond to a request for comment sent on Monday.
The United States and Britain have called for China to provide proof of Peng's whereabouts and France's foreign minister said on Sunday that Chinese authorities should let Peng speak publicly.
'I'm expecting only one thing: that she speaks,' Jean-Yves Le Drian told LCI television, adding that there could be unspecified diplomatic consequences if China did not clear up the situation. His office did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the IOC's statement.
Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian, when asked at a regular briefing on Monday about the concerns expressed by France, Britain and the United States, said it was not a foreign ministry matter but noted that Peng had recently attended some public activities.
Tennis star Peng Shuai accused Zhang Gaoli, Former Vice Premier of the People's Republic of China, of rape
Peng Shuai, 35, was said to have disappeared when her social media profiles were scrubbed following the accusation
Current and former tennis players, including Naomi Osaka, Serena Williams and Billie Jean King, have also joined the calls seeking to confirm she was safe, using the social media hashtag #WhereIsPengShuai?
Men's singles world No.1 Novak Djokovic said it would be strange to hold tournaments in China unless the 'horrific' situation was resolved.
The topic has been blocked from discussion on China's heavily censored internet and the comments sections on all remaining posts on Peng's official Weibo account, and on numerous old posts by users about her, have been locked.
Some Weibo users have found ways around the censors by leaving comments on accounts belonging to foreign tennis players or sports commentators. While a number expressed relief to see her reappear on the weekend, others said they were sceptical.
'I hope it's not staged,' said one.
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