Speculation about the welfare and whereabouts of a Chinese tennis champion not seen in public since she accused a government official of forcing her to have sex heightened yesterday after new photographs of her were posted on social media.
Peng Shuai, 35, has not been seen in public since posting a statement on social media this month accusing Zhang Gaoli, a former member of the Chinese Communist Party’s Standing Committee, the ruling inner circle of power, of forcing her to have sex despite repeated refusals.
On Friday, an employee of Chinese state TV has posted photos of Peng online in a new effort to dispel concerns about her disappearance.
The state TV employee, Shen Shiwei, wrote that they were on Peng’s account on the WeChat message service with the comment, “Happy Weekend”.
The photos showed Peng with a grey cat and holding a panda figurine in what appeared to be a private home with stuffed animals lined up behind her. There was no indication when they were taken.
The same TV channel last week distributed a statement it said came from Peng that retracted the accusations against Zhang.
Meanwhile, the editor of a newspaper published by the party said Peng would “show up in public” soon.
Global Times editor Hu Xijin said he had confirmed from unidentified sources that the photos “are indeed Peng Shuai’s current state”.
He said: “In the past few days, she stayed in her own home freely and she didn’t want to be disturbed.
“She will show up in public and participate in some activities soon.”
But the chairman and chief executive of the Women’s Tennis Association, Steve Simon, questioned the legitimacy of the statement released by TV station, saying it “only raises my concerns as to her safety”.
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