Concerns grow over Chinese tennis star Peng Shuai as WTA questions ‘statement’

Posted by harsh sultayia on November 18th, 2021

On Thursday, the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) revealed it had failed to reachMs. Peng after “ constantly” trying to communicate her. The WTA also raised questions about a statement purported to be fromMs. Peng that was released by Chinese English- language broadcaster China Global Television Network (CGTN).

 In the statement, which appeared to be a screenshot of a Word document, that was participated on Twitter by CGTN,Ms. Peng said she was “ fine” and “ resting” at home. It couldn\'t be vindicated whether she did indeed write the statement.

“ Hello everyone this is Peng Shuai,” the statement began. “ Regarding the recent new released on the sanctioned website of the WTA, the content has not been verified or vindicated by myself,” it said, pertaining to the WTA expressing concern aboutMs. Peng and the allegations.

 “ The news in that release,” it continued, “ including the allegation of sexual assault, isn\'t true. I ’m not missing, nor am I unsafe. I ’ve just been resting at home and everything is fine.”

The statement was, still, not published by the sanctioned Chinese media in Mandarin, and was only twittered by CGTN. It appeared to be aimed at an transnational followership and to address enterprises raised in recent days not only by the WTA but also by a number of tennis stars, including Naomi Osaka and Novak Djokovic. In China, still, the news aboutMs. Peng’s allegations remains heavily cleaned and her account on Sina Weibo, a Twitter fellow, remains hidden from public view.

The WTA on Thursday questioned whetherMs. Peng had written the statement.

“ The statement released moment by Chinese state media concerning Peng Shuai only raises my enterprises as to her safety and whereabouts,” WTA Chairman Steve Simon said.

 “ I\'ve a hard time believing that Peng Shuai actually wrote the dispatch we entered or believes what\'s being attributed to her. Peng Shuai displayed inconceivable courage in describing an allegation of sexual assault against a former top functionary in the Chinese government. The WTA and the rest of the world need independent and empirical evidence that she\'s safe. I\'ve constantly tried to reach her via multitudinous forms of communication, to no mileage. Peng Shuai must be allowed to speak freely, without compulsion or intimidation from any source. Her allegation of sexual assault must be admired, delved with full translucency and without suppression. The voices of women need to be heard and admired, not cleaned nor mandated to.”

The original post byMs. Peng on November 2 was instantly deleted, while any references to her were latterly cleaned on Weibo. In an emotional communication, she said had been sexually assaulted by elderly party leader and former Vice Premier Zhang Gaoli. She detailed how 10 times agone, when she was 25,Mr. Zhang, also 65, and his woman, had invited her home before he assaulted her. She also recited how they had latterly begun a times-long affair, untilMr. Zhang broke it off when he was promoted to the party’s top body in 2012, the Politburo Standing Committee. He proceeded the affair three times agone, when,Ms. Peng said, he again forced her to have coitus, while his woman was guarding the door.

Ms. Osaka was among several tennis stars expressing concern about the allegations andMs. Peng’s safety.Ms. Osaka said in a statement she was “ lately informed of a fellow tennis player that has gone missing shortly after revealing that she has been sexually abused.” “ Suppression is noway ok at any cost, I hope Peng Shuai and her family are safe and ok,” she said. “ I ’m in shock of the current situation and I ’m transferring love and light her way.”