Peng Shuai purportedly seen in video released by state media

Peng Shuai disappeared after writing a social media post on November 2 accusing former China vice-premier Zhang Gaoli of forcing her to have sex; WTA remains concerned about 35-year-old’s health and safety and that the allegation “is being censored and swept under the rug”

By Sky News

Last Updated: 20/11/21 7:30pm

Images and video have been released purportedly showing Peng Shuai (third from right) in a restaurant. Pic: @li_ding1

Missing Chinese tennis player Peng Shuai has purportedly appeared in a video in which she is seen with friends in a restaurant.

Peng, a former Wimbledon doubles champion, is seen smiling in the apparently new footage released by state media.

The video was posted on Twitter by Hu Xijin, editor-in-chief of Global Times – the official newspaper of China’s ruling Communist Party. He said it was taken today and showed Peng having dinner with her coach and friends in Beijing.

He earlier claimed Peng has been staying in her own home “freely” and would make a public appearance soon.

Peng appears to be smiling and having fun. Pic: @li_ding1

Head of the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA), Steve Simon, said although it is “positive” to see her in the video, it “remains unclear if she is free and able to make decisions and take actions on her own, without coercion or external interference”.

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US-based tennis journalist Ben Rothenberg praises the WTA for their ‘firm’ stance on China, amid growing concern over Peng Shuai’s whereabouts

US-based tennis journalist Ben Rothenberg praises the WTA for their ‘firm’ stance on China, amid growing concern over Peng Shuai’s whereabouts

The organisation’s chief executive added: “This video alone is insufficient… I remain concerned about Peng Shuai’s health and safety and that the allegation of sexual assault is being censored and swept under the rug.”

Peng, 35, disappeared after writing a social media post on 2 November accusing former vice-premier Zhang Gaoli of forcing her to have sex after playing tennis at his home.

Photos of Peng in the Beijing restaurant have also been released on social media, where she appears to be holding a glass of wine and making a ‘V for Victory’ sign.

In the video, Peng is seen sitting with a man and two women but does not speak.

The man and one of the women make repeated references to the date, with the man saying: “Tomorrow is the 20th of November right?”

Peng is one of China’s top tennis players

The woman corrects him by saying it would be 21 November, before the man discusses Peng’s recent performances and upcoming tournaments.

“We had two matches in the past,” he says. “But we were not happy with the results.

“The match tomorrow is the conclusion of the nine matches in the past three months.

“The end of November is the end of the year. We must try our best.”

Peng is a former Wimbledon doubles champion. Pic: @li_ding1

Peng’s original post on Weibo has been taken down and neither Zhang Gaoli nor the Chinese government have commented on her allegation.

It comes as Boris Johnson is reportedly considering a diplomatic boycott of the Winter Olympics in Beijing next year in protest at China’s record on human rights.

An “active discussion” in government is ongoing, with Foreign Secretary Liz Truss said to be in favour of the boycott, the Times newspaper said.

Peng, 35, was seen smiling with a grey cat while surrounded by soft toys in a ‘new’ photo shared on Friday

The mystery surrounding the tennis champion took a new twist on Friday after photos emerged apparently showing her relaxing at home, surrounded by soft toys and with a grey cat.

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

Others also pointed to the presence in one of the photos of a framed picture featuring Winnie the Pooh – a character banned in China after people mockingly likened him to President Xi Jinping.

Sceptics pointed to the presence of Winnie the Pooh – a character banned in China after people mockingly likened him to President Xi Jinping

An email said to be from Peng was released on Wednesday by CGTN – the international arm of government-controlled state broadcaster CCTV – but doubts have also been raised over its authenticity.

It says the sexual assault claim “is not true” and adds: “I’m not missing, nor am I unsafe. I’ve just been resting at home and everything is fine”.

The White House and the United Nations have joined demands to establish the whereabouts and welfare of Peng.

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White House press secretary Jen Psaki says the Biden administration is ‘deeply concerned’ about reports that Chinese tennis star Peng Shuai has gone missing

White House press secretary Jen Psaki says the Biden administration is ‘deeply concerned’ about reports that Chinese tennis star Peng Shuai has gone missing

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

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World Number One Novak Djokovic has backed the WTA’s threat to pull the Women’s Tour out of China amid reports that Peng Shuai had gone missing after accusing a former top Chinese official of sexually assaulting her.

World Number One Novak Djokovic has backed the WTA’s threat to pull the Women’s Tour out of China amid reports that Peng Shuai had gone missing after accusing a former top Chinese official of sexually assaulting her.

Britain’s Andy Murray and the Lawn Tennis Association have joined an online campaign to help find Peng.

Other tennis stars including Serena Williams, Naomi Osaka and Novak Djokovic are among those worried over her whereabouts.

World number one Djokovic said he supported “100%” the WTA’s threat to axe its China events.

He told reporters: “This is horrifying. I mean, a person is missing.

“The whole community, tennis community needs to back her up and her family, make sure that she’s safe and sound because if you would have tournaments on Chinese soil without resolving this situation, it would be a little bit strange.”

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