Author: Joe Macdonald
Associated Press
Beijing (Associated Press)-The missing Chinese tennis star Peng Shuai told Olympic officials during a video call in Beijing that she was fine. According to reports, the International Olympic Committee said after Peng made another public appearance on November 21 that she safe and sound. Photos posted by the organizer.
After Peng accused a former Communist Party official of sexual assault, global concerns about Peng grew and he made a 30-minute phone call. The ruling Communist Party of China tried to quell fears abroad while suppressing Chinese information about Peng.
The conversation with Thomas Bach, President of the International Olympic Committee, Emma Teho, President of the Athletes Committee, and Li Lingwei, a member of the International Olympic Committee and former Vice President of the Chinese Tennis Association on November 21, seemed to be the first time Peng had contacted outside China since he disappeared from the public. Sports officials directly contacted to watch on November 2.
The Swiss-based Olympic institution said in a statement that Peng “thanks to the International Olympic Committee for its attention to her health.”
“She explained that she is safe and lives in her home in Beijing, but now wants her privacy to be respected. This is why she now prefers to spend time with friends and family,” the statement said.
Peng, who represented China in the three Olympic Games from 2008 to 2016, filed allegations of sexual assault against Zhang Gaoli, a former member of the Standing Committee of the Chinese Communist Party’s Executive Committee, on Chinese social media earlier this month.
The post was deleted within a few minutes and the former No. 1 doubles player disappeared from public view. She did not publicly respond to requests for information to show that she is safe.
In recent years, more and more Chinese businessmen, activists, and ordinary people have disappeared after criticizing party members or fighting corruption or supporting democracy and labor rights movements. Peng has joined the ranks.
Some people reappear weeks or months later without any explanation, suggesting that they are warned not to reveal the reason or reason for their detention.
IOC President Bach has invited Peng to have dinner with him when he arrives in Beijing in January. “She gladly accepts,” the IOC said. Terho and Li were also invited.
Teho said in the statement of the International Olympic Committee: “I was relieved to see Peng Shuai doing a good job. This is our biggest concern.” The hockey player from Finland represents the athletes of the IOC Executive Committee. .
“She looks relaxed,” Teho said. “I provided her with our support and kept in touch with her whenever it was convenient for her. She was obviously grateful.”
The photo of Peng posted on the Weibo social media service at the China Open on November 21 did not mention her disappearance or her allegations. The former Wimbledon champion was standing next to the court, waving and signing an oversized commemorative tennis ball for the children.
The disappearance of Peng and the silence of the official call for information prompted calls for a boycott of the Winter Olympics in Beijing in February, a prestigious event of the Communist Party. Unless the safety of the former doubles player in the world is guaranteed, the women’s professional tour may withdraw the event from China.
The International Olympic Committee has been silent about Peng’s status, which helps to contribute to the millions of dollars in revenue that the IOC receives from broadcasting and sponsorship.
The established policy of the Olympic institution is “quiet diplomacy.” The International Olympic Committee has stated that it will “continue to have an open dialogue with China’s Olympic movement at all levels.”
The Chinese website has deleted discussions of Peng’s allegations. On November 19, a government spokesperson denied knowledge of the protest. The ruling party’s Internet filter also prevents most Chinese from seeing other social media abroad and most global news media.
Comments on Chinese social media criticized the Women’s Tennis Association and others who talked about Peng. Official media employees embarrassedly posted Peng’s photos and videos last weekend while the government remained silent. Chinese comments on Twitter made fun of this.
“When will WTA leave China?” commented on the Sina Weibo social media service, signed “Sleep Time”.
The appearance of Peng was mentioned in the last sentence of the report on the website of the Global Times, an English-language newspaper published by the ruling party for foreign readers, but other Chinese media did not immediately report it.
Global Times editor-in-chief Hu Xijin posted on Twitter on November 20, which most Chinese netizens cannot see, saying that Peng “is free in his own home” and will soon “appear in front of the public.”
The Global Times is known for its nationalist tone. Hu used his Twitter account to criticize foreign governments and point out social and economic problems abroad.
A Twitter signed by bobzhang999 commented: “Hugou, with so many photos, why don’t you let Peng Shuai speak?”
Another signed magician said: “Let Peng Shuai’s parents hold a press conference.”
The tennis star and WTA are very outspoken in asking for information about Peng. Other companies and sports groups are reluctant to confront Beijing for fear of losing access to the Chinese market or encountering other retaliation.
The ruling party did not say whether it is investigating Peng’s allegations against 75-year-old Gao. He left the Communist Party’s standing committee in 2018 and basically disappeared from public life.
Even if Peng’s allegations are considered valid, the Chinese are often sentenced to prison or face other punishments for publicly complaining about abuse of power rather than embarrassing the party through the secret, often unresponsive official system.
The status of star athletes such as Peng is particularly sensitive. The official media celebrated their victory as a proof that the Communist Party is making China stronger. But the party is very vigilant to ensure that they cannot use their prestige and public appeal to weaken their image.
After newspaper editor Hu posted two videos of what appeared to be her in a restaurant on November 20, WTA Chairman and CEO Steve Simon expressed concern about Peng’s safety.
“Although seeing her is positive, it is not clear whether she is free and able to make decisions and take actions on her own without coercion or external interference. This video alone is not enough,” Simon said. “Our relationship with China is at a crossroads.”
The International Olympic Committee has stated that it will “continue to have an open dialogue with China’s Olympic movement at all levels.”
When asked about human rights issues in China three weeks ago, Juan Antonio Samaranch, a senior member of the International Olympic Committee, said, “We have not discussed any issues with the Chinese government” on this topic.
The International Olympic Committee has previously stated that its partner for organizing the Winter Olympics is the local organizing committee, not the Chinese state. The committee is controlled by the Communist Party.
Emma Tejo, the newly elected chairperson of the IOC Athletes Committee, which is responsible for representing the interests of Olympic athletes, said in a statement that “we support the quiet diplomacy favored by the IOC.”
Two weeks ago, the foreign branch of the national television station issued an English statement by Peng, withdrawing her allegations against Zhang. Simon of the WTA questioned its legitimacy, while others said it would only increase their concerns about her safety.
