Dilemma Involving Peng Shuai Intensifies As Officials Seek To Verify Her Safety

By Barry Janoff

UPDATED November 21, 2021: ESPN: Tennis star Peng Shuai reappeared in public Sunday at a youth tournament in Beijing, according to photos released by the organizer,.

The post by the China Open on the Weibo social media service made no mention of Peng's disappearance or her accusation. Peng was shown standing beside a court, waving and signing oversize commemorative tennis balls for children.

Video of the event was also posted on social media by state run media, along with another video posted Saturday that appears to show Peng at a restaurant.

Steve Simon, chairman and CEO of the WTA said via the organization, “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.

“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."

Emma Terho, the chair of the International Olympic Committee Athletes' Commission, tweeted Saturday that the body "is very concerned about the situation of three-time Olympian Peng Shuai."

"We support the quiet diplomacy approach that is being taken and hope it will lead to the release of information about the whereabouts of Peng Shuai and confirmation of her safety and well-being,'' Terho added.

UPDATED November 19, 2021: The situation regarding Chinese tennis player Peng Shuai has reached the United Nations. Shuai has not been seen in public since posting to social media on Nov. 2 allegations of sexual assault three years ago by Zhang Gaoli, a then Vice-Premier of China's ruling political party.

“It is important to have proof of her whereabouts and well-being, and to have a full and transparent investigation into her allegations of sexual assault,” Elizabeth Throssell, media and communications officer for the U.N.’s Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, said via the U.N.

“It is a challenging issue, as it is difficult for victims of sexual assault to come forward to make their allegations. Sexual assault is found in any and every society. It is important to ensure justice and accountability for victims.”

NBC: On Friday, White House press secretary Jen Psaki said, “We are deeply concerned” about the reports about Peng.

“We join in the calls for [Chinese] authorities to provide independent and verifiable proof of her whereabouts and that she is safe.”

AP Sports: An employee of Chinese state TV has posted photos of missing tennis player Peng Shuai online in a new effort to dispel concern about her disappearance after she accused a senior leader of sexual assault.

The photos appeared Friday on Twitter, which cannot be seen by most internet users in China. The state TV employee, Shen Shiwei, wrote they were on Peng's account on the WeChat message service with the comment, "Happy Weekend."

"In the past few days, she stayed in her own home freely and she didn't want to be disturbed," wrote Hu Xijin, editor of Global Times, an English-language newspaper published by the Communist Party. “She will show up in public and participate in some activities soon."

November 18, 2021: The serious and unresolved situation involving Chinese tennis player Peng Shuai, who has not been seen since posting to social media earlier this month that three years ago she had been sexually assaulted by Zhang Gaoli, who at the time was a high-ranking member of China’s ruling political party, became more intense with the release of an e-mail purportedly from Shuai denying the incident ever happened.

According to Reuters, the e-mail, released by Chinese state media outlet CGTN, quoted Shaui as saying, “I’m not missing, nor am I unsafe. I’ve just been resting at home and everything is fine.”

The e-mail also read that her allegation was false, according to Reuters and AP Sports.

CGTN is the international arm of Chinese state broadcaster CCTV.

"The statement released today by Chinese state media concerning Peng Shuai only raises my concerns as to her safety and whereabouts," Steve Simon, WTA chairman and CEO, said via the organization.

“I have a hard time believing that Peng Shuai actually wrote the e-mail we received or believes what is being attributed to her."

“I have a hard time believing that Peng Shuai actually wrote the e-mail we received. (This) only raises my concerns as to her safety and whereabouts.”

"Peng Shuai must be allowed to speak freely, without coercion or intimidation from any source. Her allegation of sexual assault must be respected, investigated with full transparency and without censorship."

During an interview with CNN today, Simon said, "We're definitely willing to pull our business (from China) and deal with all the complications that come with it. Because this certainly is bigger than the business.

"Women need to be respected and not censored," he said.

“Player safety is always our top priority and we support a full and transparent investigation into this matter,” the International Tennis Federation wrote in a statement to Reuters.

The escalating situation comes as China is preparing to host the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics in February.

According to AP Sports, President Joe Biden said today that the United States was considering a diplomatic boycott of next year's Winter Olympics in Beijing over China's human rights abuses, a move that would keep American dignitaries, but not athletes, from the Games.

According to ESPN, on Nov. 2, Shuai “wrote in a lengthy social media post that Zhang Gaoli, a former vice premier and member of the ruling Communist Party's all-powerful Politburo Standing Committee, had forced her to have sex despite repeated refusals following a round of tennis three years ago.

ESPN said Shuai also wrote in her post, “I was so frightened that afternoon, never thinking that this thing could happen.”

Her post was removed from her verified account on Weibo, a leading Chinese social media platform, according to ESPN and other reports.

Earlier this week, the WTA said it had been given assurances by the Chinese Tennis Assn. that Shuai was safe and unharmed, but the WTA stressed it had not seen or directly heard from the 35-year-old Shuai.

A growing social media movement — with the hash tag, #WhereIsPengShuai — has been supported by human rights groups as well as athletes both in and beyond the tennis community, including Billie Jean King, Chris Evert, Naomi Osaka, Roger Federer, Serena Williams and Novak Djokovic.

“I am devastated and shocked to hear about the news of my peer, Peng Shuai,” Williams posted to social media.

“I hope she is safe and found as soon as possible. This must be investigated and we must not stay silent.”

This week, the ATP Tour issued a statement regarding Shuai from chairman Andrea Gaudenzi.

“There is nothing more important to us than the safety of our tennis community. We have been deeply concerned by the uncertainty surrounding the immediate safety and whereabouts of WTA player Peng Shuai.

“I hope she is safe and found as soon as possible. This must be investigated and we must not stay silent.”

“We stand in full support of WTA’s call for a full, fair and transparent investigation into allegations of sexual assault against Peng Shuai."

According to WTA's Simon, “In all societies, the behavior she alleges that took place needs to be investigated, not condoned or ignored. We commend Peng Shuai for her remarkable courage and strength in coming forward. Women around the world are finding their voices so injustices can be corrected.

“We expect this issue to be handled properly, meaning the allegations must be investigated fully, fairly, transparently and without censorship. 

“Our absolute and unwavering priority is the health and safety of our players. We are speaking out so justice can be done.”

Photos: WTA

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