Peng Shuai: Chinese tennis star appears to be missing in pictures News DW

Official photos and a video released by a tournament held in China look like a missing tennis star among Peng Shua’s participants.

Peng’s whereabouts have caused growing international concern. He had not been seen or heard since he accused former Chinese Deputy Prime Minister Zhang Gaol of sexual exploitation in a message published on social media on 2 November.

Editor-in-Chief of a Chinese state-owned newspaper The Global Times tweeted Peng’s footage in the Fila Kids Junior Tennis Challenger final. Peng was seen wearing a dark blue jacket and white pants.

The Women’s Tennis Association (WTA), which has loudly demanded evidence of Peng’s whereabouts, called the evidence “inadequate.” It added that the material did not address WTA’s concerns.

The tennis community is adding pressure

The WTA leader had previously questioned the validity of the email, which Chinese state media reported on Wednesday, Peng Shua wrote.

“I have a hard time believing that Peng Shuai actually wrote the email we received or believes what is considered of him,” WTA CEO Steve Simon wrote earlier this week.

“The WTA and the rest of the world need independent and verifiable proof of that [Peng] is safe, “Simon said, adding that he has” repeatedly tried to reach him through several means of communication, but to no avail. “

Concerns, rage and support have been expressed from around the tennis world, including men’s number one Novak Djokovic, former tennis superstars Chris Evert and Billie Jean King.

Concern for safety

Earlier this week, White House press secretary Jen Psaki said the Chinese authorities should “provide independent and verifiable proof of his whereabouts and that he is safe.”

Liz Throssell, a spokeswoman for the UN Office on Human Rights in Geneva, said it called for “full transparency investigation into her allegations of sexual violence.”

He said this was vital to ensure accountability and fairness.

Britain on Saturday called on China to provide “verifiable evidence” of Peng’s “security and whereabouts”.

km / wd (Reuters, AFP)