Home ›› 21 Nov 2021 ›› Sport
The United States and United Nations demanded proof of Peng Shuai’s whereabouts as a Chinese state-affiliated journalist shared unverified photos of the tennis star, who has not been seen publicly since accusing a former vice-premier of forcing her to have sex.
Images of a smiling Peng emerged on a Chinese state-affiliated Twitter account late Friday.
Earlier White House press secretary Jen Psaki had said President Joe Biden’s administration wanted China to “provide independent, verifiable proof” of Peng’s whereabouts and expressed “deep concern” about the former world top-ranked doubles player.
The United Nations insisted on a fully transparent investigation into the claims made by Peng against Communist Party grandee Zhang Gaoli -- the first time China’s #MeToo movement has touched the highest echelons of the country’s politics.
Peng, 35, alleged on the Chinese social media site Weibo earlier this month that Zhang, now in his 70s, had “forced” her into sex during an on-off relationship spanning several years.
The claims were quickly scrubbed from the Twitter-like platform and Peng has not been seen publicly since.
“It would be important to have proof of her whereabouts and well-being,” Liz Throssell, a spokeswoman for the UN Human Rights Office, told reporters in Geneva.
“We are calling for an investigation with full transparency into her allegation of sexual assault.”
China has repeatedly refused to comment on the case.
On Saturday, Craig Tiley, CEO of Tennis Australia and tournament chief of the Australian Open said,
“The primary thing for us is to make sure that she’s safe.”.
The head of the WTA has said he is willing to lose hundreds of millions of dollars’ worth of Chinese business in one of the organisation’s biggest markets to ensure Peng’s wellbeing.
