Her welfare has been the focus of intense international concern
Peng Shuai at the 2020 Australian Open. Photo: Fred Lee/Getty Images Missing tennis star Peng Shuai reappeared in public Sunday at a youth tournament in Beijing, according to videos released by Chinese state media. .
The clip claims Peng — a former number one-ranked tennis doubles player — was at the opening ceremony of the final in a state-sponsored tennis open for teenagers on Sunday morning. Peng had not been seen publicly since November 2, when she alleged in an emotional and harrowing 1,600-word post to social media that China’s former vice premier, Zhang Gaoli, had sexually assaulted her. She claimed Zhang forced her to have sex despite repeated refusals following a round of tennis three years ago.
Peng’s disappearance from public view prompted many to call for proof of her well-being. As USA Today points out, “even if Peng’s accusation is deemed valid, people in China often are jailed or face other penalties for embarrassing the party by publicizing complaints about abuses instead of going through the secretive, often unresponsive official system.” Concern grew last week after a suspicious email was written in her voice, claiming she was not missing or in harm’s way.
Chairman and CEO of the Women’s Tennis Association, Steve Simon, said the latest footage was insufficient to alleviate the organization’s concerns. “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.” The organization has threatened to pull tournaments out of China without reliable proof that Peng is safe.
Others are also pressuring China for answers. Jen Psaki, the White House press secretary, said the U.S. wanted China to “provide independent, verifiable proof” of Peng’s whereabouts. The United Nations has also called on a fully transparent investigation into the claims made by Peng against Zhang.
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