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Where is Peng Shuai?: Chinese State media releases video ‘proof’ tennis star is well

Three unverified videos purporting to show missing tennis star Peng Shuai making public appearances have been shared but doubts over their authenticity are growing. WATCH NOW.

Emily Benammar and wires
9 min read
November 21, 2021 - 1:38PM
News Corp Australia Sports Newsroom
Videos released claiming to show Chinese tennis star Peng Shuai

More video purporting to show missing tennis star Peng Shuai has been released by Chinese State media.

Amid global calls for irrefutable evidence she has come to no harm having not been seen or heard from in more than two weeks, vision claiming to show Peng at a Tennis Challenger Event in Beijing this morning has been released.

Fears have been growing for the 35-year-old after she ‘went missing’ last month after going public with allegations a powerful Chinese politician sexually assaulted her.

Peng, a former world number one in doubles, has not been seen since.

Shen Shiwei shared a video on his social channels captioned “Peng Shuai attends the opening ceremony of Junior Tennis Challenger Finals this morning in Beijing.”

The video is yet to be verified.

It follows two other videos released by Chinese media claiming to show Peng in recent days. Editor in Chief of the Global Times, Hu Xijin, shared two videos on Sunday morning.

“I acquired two video clips, which show Peng Shuai was having dinner with her coach and friends in a restaurant,” Xijin tweeted. “The video content clearly shows they are shot on Saturday Beijing time.”

“Proof” is said to be in the translation of the conversation during which Peng is believed to correct the man with her by saying “tomorrow is November 21”.

Referring to images that were shared on Saturday, Xijin added: “I confirmed through my own sources today that these photos are indeed Peng Shuai’s current state.

“In the past few days, she stayed in her own home freely and she didn’t want to be disturbed. She will show up in public and participate in some activities soon.”

The authenticity of the videos and images it yet to be verified as Joe Biden and the White House joined WTA chief Steve Simon and others for independent, verifiable proof” of Peng’s whereabouts.

Responding to the videos, Simon released a statement saying while encouraging it was not sufficient.

“I am glad to see the videos released by China state-run media that appear to show Peng Shuai at a restaurant in Beijing,” he said.

“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.”

INVESTIGATING THE CLAIMS

The United Nations insisted on a fully transparent investigation into the claims made by Peng against Communist Party grandee Zhang Gaoli -- the first time China’s #MeToo movement has touched the highest echelons of the country’s politics.

Peng, 35, alleged on the Chinese social media site Weibo earlier this month that Zhang, now in his 70s, had “forced” her into sex during an on-off relationship spanning several years.

The claims were quickly scrubbed from the Twitter-like platform and Peng has not been seen publicly since.

“It would be important to have proof of her whereabouts and well-being,” Liz Throssell, a spokeswoman for the UN Human Rights Office, told reporters in Geneva.

“We are calling for an investigation with full transparency into her allegation of sexual assault.”

Screenshot from a video claiming to show Peng in Beijing on Saturday
Screenshot from a video claiming to show Peng in Beijing on Saturday

IOC WEAKNESS

While the tennis authorities, as well as the United Nations, have challenged the Chinese authorities to provide undisputable evidence of Peng’s whereabouts, the commission, which represents athletes within the IOC, struck a softer chord.

“Together with the worldwide athlete community, the IOC AC is very concerned about the situation of three-time Olympian Peng Shuai,” former Finnish ice hockey player Emma Terho, president of the Athletes’ Commission, tweeted on Saturday.

“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, a two-time Olympic bronze medallist, also hoped that “a way can be found for direct engagement between her (Peng) and her athlete colleagues”.

The statement underlines the softly-softly approach adopted Thursday by the IOC which is mindful of offending China just three months before Beijing is due to host the Winter Olympics.

In a short statement on Saturday, a spokesperson for the Olympic body acknowleged “the concerns expressed by so many athletes and National Olympic Committees” but insisted it would continue with its “quiet diplomacy”.

“This approach means we will continue our open dialogue on all levels with the Olympic Movement in China,” said the IOC statement.

HERE’S WHAT WE KNOW SO FAR:

- The allegation - On November 2, Peng appears to have posted on China’s Twitter-like Weibo damaging claims about former vice-premier Zhang Gaoli. Peng alleged that he had coerced her into sex during a long-time on-off relationship.

There has been no response from Zhang, who is in his seventies.

- The censorship - Peng’s post was soon deleted, but not before social media users took screenshots. Those were censored on China’s heavily vetted internet and still are.

But Peng’s allegation was posted to Twitter -- which is banned in China -- allowing it to reach a worldwide audience.

Peng still comes up on search results online in China, but her allegations do not, and searches for her and Zhang together also show nothing.

- The outcry - On Twitter, #WhereIsPengShuai began to gain traction, with tennis players past and present using the hashtag to voice concern for her safety.

Four-time Grand Slam champion Naomi Osaka wrote that she was “in shock”, with tennis great Serena Williams stating she was “devastated and shocked” and calling for an investigation.

Men’s world number one Novak Djokovic told reporters: “Honestly, it’s shocking that she’s missing.”

- The official response - The Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) called for Peng’s allegations to “be investigated fully, fairly, transparently and without censorship”.

WTA chairman Steve Simon said he had been told “from several sources” that Peng was safe.

China’s tennis association did not reply to AFP requests for comment and the foreign ministry also declined to comment.

- The political reaction - As the outcry grew over Peng’s case, White House spokesperson Jen Psaki said the Biden administration wanted China to “provide independent, verifiable proof” of Peng’s whereabouts.

Meanwhile, the United Nations also weighed in, insisting on a fully transparent investigation into her claims.

- The email, photos - There was a new twist when China’s state-run CGTN published a screenshot on Twitter of an email it alleged was from Peng to the WTA in which she claimed her accusations were “not true” and “everything is fine”.

Doubts were quickly flagged about the awkward language and a cursor visible in the screenshot. Simon said it “only raises my concerns”.

AUS OPEN BOSS’ DESPERATE CALL TO CHINA OVER MISSING STAR

Australian Open boss Carig Tiley has joined the growing chorus of tennis authorities concerned about Chinese star Peng Shuai, who has been missing since she alleged a powerful Chinese politician sexually assaulted her.

“Everyone is aware of the Peng Shuai situation, the primary thing for us is to make sure she is safe,” Tiley said.

“We have utilised our channels, we have been working behind the scenes to find out and get more clarity about her safety.

“Our position is very clear, we want to know that she is safe and then secondly we want her to know as a community, not only a global tennis community, but as a community here in Australia we will do everything we can to support her wellbeing.

“It is a matter we are building more clarity on as time goes on and we’re using every possible channel that we can to assure her safety.”

China's Peng Shuai competing at the Australian Open.
China's Peng Shuai competing at the Australian Open.

Earlier, a Chinese state media reporter posted photos to Twitter purportedly showing tennis star Peng Shuai who has been missing for over two weeks.

Peng has not been seen or heard from since alleging she was sexually exploited by a former vice-premier of China.

Shen Shiwei, a staff member at state-owned CGTN, posted two photos of Shuai playing with a cat on Saturday morning.

In another photo, she is holding a Kung Fu Panda toy.

The reporter attached a screenshot of what he claimed was a WeChat thread.

“Peng Shuai’s WeChat moments just posted three latest photos and said ‘Happy weekend,’” he wrote on Twitter.

“Her friend shared the three photos and the screenshot of Peng’s WeChat moments.”

Meanwhile, the United States and UN have demanded proof of Peng Shuai’s whereabouts and wellbeing amid rising concern for the tennis star.

White House press secretary Jen Psaki said President Joe Biden’s administration wanted China to “provide independent, verifiable proof” of Peng’s whereabouts and expressed “deep concern” about the former world top-ranked doubles player.

The United Nations insisted on a fully transparent investigation into the claims made by Peng against Communist Party grandee Zhang Gaoli.

Tennis stars, sports bodies, governments and human rights defenders also spoke up for Peng, 35, and demanded information.

The head of the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) said he was prepared to cut lucrative business ties with China if Peng remains unaccounted for and her sexual assault allegations are not probed.

Serena Williams, Novak Djokovic and Naomi Osaka have also voiced their concerns for one of China’s greatest ever players.

“It would be important to have proof of her whereabouts and wellbeing,” Liz Throssell, a spokeswoman for the UN Human Rights Office, told reporters in Geneva.

Peng Shuai has been missing since alleging she was sexually exploited by a former vice-premier of China. Picture: Getty Images
Peng Shuai has been missing since alleging she was sexually exploited by a former vice-premier of China. Picture: Getty Images

“According to available information, Peng, a former world doubles number one, hasn’t been heard from publicly since she alleged on social media that she had been sexually assaulted.

“We are calling for an investigation with full transparency into her allegation of sexual assault.”

WTA THREATENS CHINA PULL-OUT

Peng alleged on the Chinese social media site Weibo earlier this month that Zhang, now in his 70s, had “forced” her into sex during a long-term on-off relationship.

The claims were quickly scrubbed from the Twitter-like platform and she has not been seen since.

The WTA, the top world body for women’s tennis, has called for proof that Peng is safe.

Its boss Steve Simon said he is willing to lose hundreds of millions of dollars worth of Chinese business in one of the WTA’s biggest markets to ensure Peng’s safety.

“We’re definitely willing to pull our business and deal with all the complications that come with it,” Simon told CNN.

“Women need to be respected and not censored,” he added.

Tennis stars, sports bodies, governments and human rights defenders have spoken up for Peng Shuai. Picture: AFP
Tennis stars, sports bodies, governments and human rights defenders have spoken up for Peng Shuai. Picture: AFP

Tennis legend Serena Williams also demanded an investigation.

“I am devastated and shocked to hear about the news of my peer, Peng Shuai,” the former singles world number one wrote on Twitter.

“This must be investigated and we must not stay silent.”

Peng represented China in the Beijing, London and Rio de Janeiro Olympics and won gold for China at the 2010 Asian Games.

She is a former Wimbledon and French Open doubles champion.

France said the international community and sports bodies were worried for Peng’s situation.

“We are concerned about the lack of information,” the French foreign ministry said.

“We call on the Chinese authorities to implement their commitments in the fight against violence against women.”

The Lawn Tennis Association, the sport’s governing body in Britain, offered its assistance to the WTA in its efforts to establish Peng’s safety.

EMAIL DOUBTS

Peng’s claims brought the #MeToo movement into the highest echelons of China’s ruling Communist Party for the first time.

“The Chinese government has systematically silenced the country’s #MeToo movement,” said Amnesty International’s China researcher Doriane Lau.

“Given that it also has a zero-tolerance approach to criticism, it is deeply concerning that Peng Shuai appears to be missing,” she said.

China has repeatedly refused to comment on her fate or the case. But Hu Xijin, the outspoken editor of the Communist Party-owned Global Times, tweeted on Friday that he didn’t believe that “Peng Shuai has received retaliation and repression speculated by foreign media for the thing people talked about”.

China has repeatedly refused to comment on Peng Shuai. Picture: AFP
China has repeatedly refused to comment on Peng Shuai. Picture: AFP

Earlier this week, state-run CGTN published a screenshot on Twitter of what it said was an email written by Peng to Simon and other WTA officials.

In the email, Peng claims that her earlier accusations are “not true” and says she is “resting at home and everything is fine”.

But doubts were quickly flagged about the awkward language used in the purported email and the cursor visible in the screenshot.

Simon said that he was struggling to believe the email was authentic. “I don’t think there’s any validity in it and we won’t be comfortable until we have a chance to speak with her,” he said.

Amnesty’s Lau said: “China’s state media has a track record of forcing statements out of individuals under duress, or else simply fabricating them.”

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Original URL: https://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/tennis/where-is-peng-shuai-us-un-demand-proof-of-missing-chinese-tennis-stars-wellbeing/news-story/c05e9246ae23c7fc69449f2ed82a2cd5