Peng Shuai disappearance: photos of the tennis player circulating on the Internet

Photos showing Peng Shuai smiling have surfaced on social media, while an influential Chinese journalist promises the player’s public appearance soon, as international pressure increases on China for information.

The 35-year-old former doubles world No. 1 has not made a public appearance since a social media post accusing Zhang Gaoli, a powerful ex-Communist Party official 40 years her senior, for forcing her to have sex.

These accusations take on particular importance after the global #MeToo movement, against violence against women.

Here is what we know:

The accusation

On November 2, a message posted briefly on the player’s official Weibo account (equivalent to Twitter in China) described an upset sentimental relationship with married Zhang Gaoli before he rose to high office.

Zhang Gaoli was from 2013 to 2018 one of the seven most powerful politicians in China. But the case does not concern the period during which he was in this post.

In this writing attributed to Peng Shuai, the player explains that Zhang Gaoli reconnected with her in 2018 when he retired. Forced sexual intercourse is mentioned.

Zhang Gaoli, now in his seventies, did not react to these statements.

It is not clear whether the post was personally posted by Peng Shuai.

Censorship

The champion’s message was quickly deleted, but screenshots were taken. These were quickly and still are censored on the Chinese internet.

The accusation brought by Peng Shuai was however posted on Twitter – blocked in China – which gave him a worldwide response.

In China, the name Peng Shuai still appears in internet search results, but the case and searches involving the player and Mr. Zhang are unsuccessful.

Outcry

On Twitter, the hashtag #WhereIsPengShuai has grown. The world’s greatest tennis players have used it to express their concern about him.

Former world No. 1 Naomi Osaka said she was “shocked by the situation”.

“Honestly, it’s shocking that she is missing,” World No.1 Novak Djokovic also told reporters.

American Serena Williams said she was “upset and shocked”. “It needs to be investigated and we must not remain silent,” wrote the American on Twitter.

“I hope she will be found soon, because we are not talking about a tennis match or a competition here, but we are talking about human life,” said German Alexander Zverev. .

Amnesty International expresses its “deep concern” at the lack of public appearance of Peng Shuai.

The official response

The WTA, which operates the women’s professional tennis circuit, called for “a thorough, fair and transparent investigation into the allegations of sexual violence against Peng Shuai.”

Earlier this week, WTA boss Steve Simon said “he has received confirmation from several sources including the Chinese federation that she is safe and not under physical threat.”

Asked by AFP, the latter did not wish to make statements on this subject, as did the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The diplomatic turn

Several countries including the United States and France said Friday “concerned” about the fate of the Chinese player.

The UN has asked for proof that she is doing well.

Cliches

In the process, four pictures of the tennis champion are published Friday by the Twitter account @shen_shiwei, labeled “media affiliated with the Chinese state” by the social network.

AFP has not been able to independently establish when they were taken.

One photo notably shows the smiling player with a cat in her arms in what appears to be her home.

The Twitter account in question – a social network blocked in China – claims in English that these photos were posted in private by the player to wish “good weekend” to her contacts.

Hu Xijin, influential editor-in-chief of the Chinese daily Global Times, says he has confirmed that these photos are “indeed current photos” of Peng Shuai.

“In recent days, she has stayed at home freely and did not want to be disturbed,” he said in English on Twitter, specifying that Peng Shuai “will soon appear in public”.

An email

Chinese state-owned television station CGTN on Wednesday published a screenshot of an email attributed to Peng Shuai that she had personally sent to the WTA leadership.

The English-language channel aimed at foreign audiences unveils its supposed content: the accusations “are false” and Peng Shuai claims that it is “resting”. “Everything is fine. Thanks again for checking in with me,” the email concluded.

The content of the message and its authenticity puzzled Steve Simon.

With AFP