The WTA remains “deeply concerned” about Peng Shua’s presence in China

The leader of the Women’s Tennis Association “remains deeply concerned” about Chinese star Peng Shui after accusing him of sexual violence against a powerful politician, a spokesman told AFP on Saturday.

WTA President Steve Simon “has contacted Peng Shuai through several channels of communication. He has sent him two emails to which it was clear that others were influencing his responses,” he said.

“He remains deeply concerned that Peng is not free from censorship or coercion, and decided not to re-contact him by email until he is convinced that his responses were his own and not his censorship.”

“The WTA remains concerned about its ability to communicate freely, openly and directly.”

Peng, a 35-year-old Wimbledon and French Open doubles champion, was not seen more than two weeks after his allegations that former Deputy Prime Minister Zhang Gaoli, now 70, forced him into sex during years of fighting. out of the relationship.

Peng’s allegations against Zhang were the first time China’s # MeToo movement has touched the highest levels of the ruling Communist Party.

On Sunday, in the official photos of the Beijing tennis tournament, Peng appeared among the participants, and on the same day he took part in a video call with Thomas Bach, chairman of the International Olympic Committee.

Beijing will host the Winter Olympics in February.

The European Union, the United Nations, the United States and Britain have all demanded proof of Peng’s whereabouts and well-being. China’s Foreign Ministry has said that “people should stop deliberately and maliciously jumping” into the controversy surrounding Peng.

Last week, Chinese state-run media released a screenshot of Peng’s email stating that the tennis star’s allegations were “not true” and that “everything is fine” with him.

“Complete and open research”

Peng appeared in a 30-minute video call with Bach, who has since been criticized.

The IOC said in a statement that during the call, “Peng Shuai thanked the IOC for its concern for his well-being.”

“He explained that he was safe and well while living at his home in Beijing, but would like his privacy respected at this time,” the press release said.

But foreign human rights groups and sports authorities have continued to express concern about Peng and whether local authorities will address his allegations.

Human Rights Watch criticized the IOC and asked them to explain how the video call with Peng had been arranged.

“The IOC has moved from silence in Beijing’s absurd human rights record to active cooperation with the Chinese authorities to undermine freedom of expression and ignore alleged sexual violence,” said Yaqiu Wang, a senior Chinese researcher at Human Rights Watch.

The EU also expressed concern to AFP on Wednesday.

“We have seen Peng Shuai’s alleged remarks and material about his publicity. However, reports of both allegations of abuse and the fact that he had not been seen for two weeks remain very worrying,” EU spokesman Nabila Massrali told AFP in a statement.

“We cannot comment on the allegations themselves, but we demand a comprehensive and open investigation,” he said.