Concern for Peng Shuai’s whereabouts and health increases. In early November, the 35-year-old Chinese tennis champion accused a top Chinese leader of forcing her to have sex and has since made no public appearances.
Since the beginning of the worldwide movement #MeToo, which denounces violence against women, Peng Shuai’s accusations were the first brought against a top member of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP).
– The prosecution –
On Nov. 2, a message posted briefly on the tennis player’s official Weibo account (the equivalent of Twitter in China) said she had had relations with former Chinese Vice Premier Zhang Gaoli.
This man, one of the most powerful in China between 2013 and 2018, forced her, according to the tennis player, to have sex with him and made her his lover. Zhang, now in his 70s, has yet to react to the statements.
It is unclear whether the message was posted by Peng Shuai herself.
– The censorship –
The tennis player’s message was quickly deleted, but it was too late. Many people had already taken a screenshot of it. These images were also censored in China and remain so until now.
The accusation made by the tennis player was, however, disclosed on Twitter, a social network blocked in China. With that, the news spread around the world.
In China, the name “Peng Shuai” continues to appear in Internet search results. When searching for his name associated with Zhang’s, however, there are no results.
– The scandal –
On Twitter, the hashtag #WhereIsPengShuai (#OndeEstaPengShuai, in Portuguese) gains strength. Big names in tennis used it to express their concern.
Former world number one Naomi Osaka and American Serena Williams said they were “shaken” by what is happening.
“Honestly, it’s shocking that she has disappeared,” said current world number one Novak Djokovic.
“It must be investigated, we cannot remain silent”, stressed the tennis player, on Twitter.
“I hope they find it soon, because we’re not talking about a match, we’re talking about a human life,” commented German Alexander Zverev.
– Diplomacy and the official response –
On Friday (19), several countries, including the United States, said they were “concerned” with the fate of the Chinese player.
The UN asked for proof that she is okay.
The WTA, which organizes the professional women’s tennis circuit, called for a “deep, fair and transparent investigation into the allegations of sexual violence against Peng Shuai.”
Earlier in the week, WTA director Steve Simon said he had “received confirmation from various sources, including the Chinese federation, that the player is in a safe place and is not under physical threat.”
– The e-mail –
Chinese public television CGTN published the image of an email attributed to Peng Shuai and addressed to the WTA.
Broadcasting in English and aimed at foreign audiences, the station says that the player admits that the accusations are “false” and that she is “resting”.
“It’s okay, thank you for taking an interest in me”, concludes the text.
In an interview with CNN, Steve Simon questioned the authenticity of the email.
“I absolutely don’t believe that’s the truth,” said Simon, classifying it as “acting.”
– The pictures –
Four photos of the tennis champion were posted on Friday on the Twitter account @shen_shiwei. The authenticity of these images could not be verified by AFP.
In one of the images, the young woman appears smiling with a cat in her arms, in what appears to be her house. Another is a Peng Shuai “selfie” with a Kung Fu Panda character doll.
The Twitter account indicates, in English, that the photos were sent privately by the tennis player on a social network to wish her contacts a “good weekend”.
Hu Xijin, influential editor-in-chief of Global Times, a markedly nationalist Chinese newspaper, said he had received information that said “these photos are up to date.”
“In the last few days, she stayed at home in complete freedom and didn’t want to be disturbed”, said Xijin this Saturday (20).
Peng Shuai “is going to appear in public very soon,” he wrote in English on Twitter.
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