New video of ‘smiling’ Chinese tennis star Peng Shua emerges amid global resentment | World news

A new video of Chinese tennis star Peng Shui has appeared after the photos showed him surrounded by toys amid growing concern in the sports world and several countries are demanding to know his whereabouts because he accused the former deputy prime minister of his sexual exploitation.

Chinese state media released a video on Saturday that is said to show two-time Grand Slam doubles champion Peng Shuai with a smile and well. Global Times reporter Hu Xijin released a video of a 35-year-old walking to a restaurant wearing a jacket, knitted cap and a face mask.

“I got two video clips showing Peng Shuai eating dinner with his coach and friends at a restaurant. The content of the video clearly shows that they were filmed on Saturday in Beijing time, Hu wrote on Twitter along with the videos.

In another video, Peng is seen with a mask sitting at a table chatting with people over a meal.

According to AFP, they were heard talking about “tennis matches,” and a man sitting with Peng and two other women said “tomorrow is November 20.” But one of the women interrupts her quickly and says, “It’s the 21st day,” or Sunday.

Peng has not been seen in public since he claimed earlier this month on the Chinese social media site Weibo that former deputy prime minister Zhang Gaoli, now 70, had “forced” him into sex during a several-year on-off relationship.

Also read Chinese tennis player Peng Shuai reappears “soon”: Global Times reporter

Peng’s claims were quickly removed from a platform like Twitter, and the whereabouts of the former Wimbledon and French Open doubles champion have been a mystery ever since.

The head of the Women’s Tennis Association, who has threatened to end lucrative contracts with China unless it is informed that Peng is safe and well, said Steve Simon, although she was “happy” to see the pictures, “it is still unclear whether she is free and able to do so. decisions and to act on their own, without coercion or outside interference. “

“This video alone is inadequate. I have been clear about what needs to happen, and our relationship with China is at a crossroads,” Simon said in a statement.

Also read Djokovic backs WTA’s threat of China’s withdrawal from “100%” in the middle of “lost” Peng

Hu posted the videos after he retweets pictures of smiling Peng on a Twitter account @shen_shiwei, which his social network called “China’s state-affiliated media.”

“I confirmed today through my own sources that these images are indeed the current state of Peng Shua. In the last few days, he was free in his own home and did not want to be disturbed. He will appear in public and participate in some activities soon,” a Global Times reporter wrote on Twitter.

Prior to that, the state-run CGTN posted on Twitter a screenshot of Peng’s email to the WTA. Peng claims that his previous accusations are “untrue” and that he “rests at home and everything is fine.”

But the awkward language and cursor that appeared in the screenshot cast doubt on its authenticity.

China has repeatedly refused to comment on the case.

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

(With AFP revenue)