The ongoing situation involving former world No.1 doubles player Peng Shuai has taken a dramatic turn after China Global Television Network claims the tennis star said she never made those allegations in the first place.
More than a week ago Shuai published a harrowing post on her Weibo account claiming that she was sexually assaulted by the former vice-premier of China, Zhang Gaoli. She claimed that the former political figure coerced her into sex and they had an affair for an intermitted period of 10 years. A sensational claim in the country where it is extremely rare that members of the country’s communist party are accused of such acts.
In the aftermath of the post, which was published on November 2nd, authorities took it down within 30 minutes. It was also widely reported that Shuai’s Weibo account was temporarily blocked and users were prevented from commenting on any of her posts. Furthermore, search phrases such as Shuai’s name and even tennis were briefly restricted in the country in a move to stop the post spreading across the internet.
Since Shuai’s post there has been no public comment from her which has prompted widespread concern. So much so that the WTA issued a statement on Sunday calling for a fair investigation. The ATP, which is the governing body of men’s tennis, later backed those calls.
Now for the first time, China’s top officials have acknowledged the situation. On Wednesday GCTV issued what they say is a ‘letter’ from Shuai which she has sent to the WTA. She has allegedly complained that the WTA statement was released without her consent, her allegations of sexual assault are untrue and she is not missing.
“Hello everyone this is Peng Shuai. Regarding the recent news released on the official website of the WTA, the content has not been confirmed or verified by myself and it was released without my consent,” the letter reads.
“The news in that release, including the allegation of sexual assault, is not true. I’m not missing, nor am I unsafe. I’ve just been resting at home and everything is fine. Thank you again for caring about me.’
“If the WTA publishes any more news about me, please verify it with me, and release it with my consent. As a professional tennis player, I thank you all for your companionship and consideration. I hope to promote Chinese tennis with you all if I have the chance in the future. I hope Chinese tennis will become better and better. Once again, thank you for your consideration.”
GCTN is the international division of China Central Television. A media organisation which is under the control of the Propaganda Department of the Chinese Communist Party.
‘I have a hard time believing that’
Following the letter which was claimed to be written by Shuai, the head of the WTA Tour has issued a statement saying that he is not convinced it was written by her. Steve Simon said the latest development has increased his concerns about her safety and whereabouts. The tennis chief wrote that ‘voices of women need to be heard and respected, not censored nor dictated to.’
“The statement released today by Chinese state media concerning Peng Shuai only raises my concerns as to her safety and whereabouts,” said Simon.
“I have a hard time believing that Peng Shuai actually wrote the email we received or believes what is being attributed to her. Peng Shuai displayed incredible courage in describing an allegation of sexual assault against a former top official in the Chinese government. The WTA and the rest of the world need independent and verifiable proof that she is safe. I have repeatedly tried to reach her via numerous forms of communication, to no avail.
Peng Shuai must be allowed to speak freely, without coercion or intimidation from any source. Her allegation of sexual assault must be respected, investigated with full transparency and without censorship.
The voices of women need to be heard and respected, not censored nor dictated to.”
China is the host country of several top tennis tournaments on the women’s Tour, including the WTA Finals which is set to return to the country next year.
