Tennis star Peng Shuai reappeared in public this weekend, showing up to a youth tournament within Beijing, according to photos and video released by journalists inside attendance at the event.
The 35-year-old tennis superstar had been unaccounted for and allegedly disappeared for several weeks after she had accused a prominent senior leader of the Communist Party of China of sexual assault.
Those in the tennis community abroad feared that Peng have been physically harmed upon her disappearance following the sexual assault allegation. And now, even though she has reappeared, skeptics say it is still not enough for them to know she is safe and unharmed.
Related: Mother Searching For Her Missing Son And His Friend Has Now ALSO Disappeared
This situation began earlier this month when Peng posted a statement on social media accusing Zhang Gaoli , a former member of the Communist Party’ s Standing Committee that rules the inner circle of power, of forcing her to have sex with him despite repeated refusals. After that statement was posted, Peng’ s social media channels were scrubbed and she vanished for several weeks, failing to show up for various events or be otherwise seen in public.
Upon her return to the Chinese hosted tennis event this weekend, the country’ s state-run media posted that she had “ stayed in her own home freely, ” and otherwise tested that will she would “ show up in public and participate in some activities soon. ”
An editor of a Chinese state-affiliated media outlet, Hu Xijin , showed video of her appearing in order to smile at the event over the particular weekend:
Peng Shuai showed up at typically the opening ceremony of a teenager tennis match final in Beijing on Sunday morning. Global Times photo reporter Cui Meng captured her at scene. pic. twitter. com/7wlBcTMgGy
— Hu Xijin 胡锡进 (@HuXijin_GT) November 21, 2021
Per TMZ , other recent videos appeared to show Peng having dinner at the restaurant on Saturday night:
中国高官と「不倫した」テニス選手彭帅さん、北京の店で友人達と会食
米国も「消息不明」として中国に居場所開示を求めているが、有名なこのレストランに行って確認すればいいのでは
取材もせず、希望と推測で嘘をばら撒く西側の姿勢に呆れる
pic. twitter. com/taakFjD8OB— 宋 文洲 (@sohbunshu) November 20, 2021
Still, skeptics worldwide are voicing their uncertainty and displeasure about what may or may not be going on.
Related: Brian Laundrie’ s Parents Change Their Story About When Their Son Allegedly Disappeared
Steve Simon , the chairman and CEO of the Women’ s Tennis Association , released a declaration on Saturday questioning Peng’ h freedom after the release associated with both of the videos (above).
Simon said:
“ While it is positive to see the girl, it remains unclear if she is free and able to be able to make decisions and take actions on her own, without coercion or external interference. This video alone is insufficient. As I have stated from the beginning, I remain concerned about Peng Shuai’ s health and safety and that the allegation of sexual assault is being censored and swept under this rug. I have been clear about what needs to happen and our relationship with China is at a crossroads. ”
The president regarding the International Rugby Federation , Dave Haggerty , also released a assertion about Peng:
“ The primary concern is Peng Shuai’ s safety plus her well-being. The videos involving her this weekend appear for you to be a positive step, but we will continue to seek direct engagement and confirmation from Peng Shuai herself that she is safe and well. ”
Even tennis superstar Roger Federer voiced his concern about Peng’ t situation, telling Sky Italia (below):
“ She’ s one of our tennis champions, a former world No. 1, and clearly it’ s concerning. I hope she’ s safe. The tennis family sticks together, and I’ ve always told my children as well that the tennis family is my second family. I’ ve been on tour for 20-25 years and I love often the tour, I love the people that are there, [they] are special, the players as well, and she’ s 1 of them. ”
Interesting…
As ESPN reports, China’ s Foreign Ministry has “ repeatedly disavowed any knowledge of Peng’ s case, ” in addition to “ denied knowing about your outcry over his disappearance. ”
All we can hope for is that she’ s i9000 truly safe and secure.
And that her sexual assault allegations are actually taken seriously…
[Image via Oscar Gonzalez/ WENN ]
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