Peng Shuai: The missing Chinese tennis player will go public “soon”, says state media World news

The missing Chinese tennis player Peng Shuai has stayed in his own home “free” and will soon be made public, a reputable state media reporter has said.

Peng, a former Wimbledon doubles champion, disappeared after writing a social media post on November 2 accusing a former senior government official of forcing him into sex after playing tennis at home.

His original message in Weibo has been deleted, and neither former Deputy Prime Minister Zhang Gaoli nor the Chinese government has commented on his claim.

Global Times editor-in-chief Hu Xijin – of the official newspaper of China’s ruling Communist Party – wrote on Twitter: “In recent days, he has been free in his own home and did not want to be disturbed. Show up publicly and take part in some activities soon.”

The mystery surrounding the tennis master got a new twist on Friday after that pictures appeared to show him relaxing at home, surrounded by soft toys and a gray cat.

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Experts have expressed doubts and questioned the authenticity of the images.

The CGTN released an email sent by Peng on Wednesday, but its authenticity has also been questioned.

It says the allegation of sexual violence “is not true” and adds: “I’m not lost and I’m not safe. I’m just resting at home and everything is fine.”

White House press secretary Jen Psaki said the Joe Biden administration is “deeply concerned” about the situation.

” The position of the United States in general.

“First, all reports of sexual violence need to be investigated, and we support a woman’s ability to speak and take responsibility, either here or elsewhere in the world.

“Secondly, we will continue to defend freedom of expression and we know that the People’s Republic of China has no zero tolerance for criticism and the record is to silence those who speak, and we continue to condemn these practices.”

In the middle growing concern about his whereabouts, The Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) has threatened to pull tournaments out of China and the men’s ATP has demanded clarity from the Chinese authorities.

It comes after Andy Murray and the Lawn Tennis Association joined an online campaign to help find Peng.

Other tennis stars like Serena Williams, Naomi Osaka and Novak Djokovic are worried about her whereabouts.

China’s foreign ministry said Friday it was unaware of the dispute.

Ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian told reporters that it “was not a diplomatic issue, and I am not aware of the situation.”

WTA director Steve Simon said it “just raises my concerns about his safety and whereabouts.”

“I have a hard time believing that Peng Shuai actually wrote the email we received or believes what is considered of him,” he said in a statement.

“Peng Shuai showed incredible courage in describing the sexual violence of a former senior Chinese government official.

“The WTA and the rest of the world need independent and verifiable evidence that he is safe. I have repeatedly tried to reach him through multiple means of communication, to no avail.”