MISSING CHINESE TENNIS STAR ‘APPEARS’ AT BEIJING TENNIS TOURNAMENT

Chinese tennis player Peng Shuai, who claimed to have had an affair with a former vice-premier, appeared at a Beijing tennis tournament on Sunday, as shown in photos published by the event’s organiser. This comes after international pressure mounted for an investigation into Peng Shuai’s disappearance. Peng, 35, a doubles champion at Wimbledon and the French Open, accused former Chinese Vice Premier Zhang Gaoli of sexual assault according to screenshots of a since-deleted Weibo post, dated 2 November. Earlier, on Saturday (local time), a “new” video was released by the Chinese state media in which Shuai was seen with her friends in a restaurant having dinner.

“I acquired two video clips, which show Peng Shuai was having dinner with her coach and friends in a restaurant. The video content clearly shows they are shot on Saturday Beijing time,” Global Times Editor in Chief Hu Xijint tweeted along with the video posted on Twitter.

This video comes after Hu said he had confirmed through his sources that photos shared on Twitter by Chinese state media, purportedly showing Peng at home, depicted her “current state”.

Later Hu Xijin posted another tweet, saying: “Can any girl fake such sunny smile under pressure? Those who suspect Peng Shuai is under duress, how dark they must be inside. There must be many many forced political performances in their countries.”

However, Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) chairman and CEO, Steve Simon feels the “new” video is “insufficient” to conclude whether the athlete is safe and secure. “I am glad to see the videos released by China state-run media that appear to show Peng Shuai at a restaurant in Beijing. While it is positive to see her, it remains unclear if she is free and able to make decisions and take actions on her own, without coercion or external interference,” said Steve Simon in a statement.

“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. I have been clear about what needs to happen and our relationship with China is at a crossroads,” he added.

On Saturday, United Nations called for an investigation into Peng Shuai’s disappearance. The White House on Friday said that it is “deeply concerned” about the reports Peng Shuai was appeared to be missing. “We are deeply concerned about reports that Peng Shuai appears to be missing after accusing a former PRC (Peoples Republic of China) senior official of sexual assaults. We join in the calls for PRC authorities to provide independent and verifiable proof of her whereabouts and that she is safe,” said White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki.