WTA Head Demands 'Verifiable Proof' On Safety Of Missing Chinese Tennis Star Peng Shuai, Who Had Accused Former VP Zhang Gaoli Of Sexual Assault

The Women’s Tennis Association has expressed concern over the safety and whereabouts of Peng Shuai, a Chinese tennis player had accused former Vice Premier and influential Communist leader Zhang Gaoli of sexual assaulting her—and then went missing in early November.

"The WTA and the rest of the world need independent and verifiable proof that she is safe. I have repeatedly tried to reach her via numerous forms of communication, to no avail." a statement released by Steve Simon, WTA Chairman & CEO, said.

The WTA head also expressed doubts legitimacy of an email purportedly written by Peng and released by Chinese state media CGTN, rescinding her allegations.

On Wednesday 9Nov 17), CGTN tweeted a screenshot of text it claimed was an email sent to WTA by Peng, in which she said allegations of sexual assault were “untrue” and that she was neither missing nor unsafe. “I’ve just been resting at home and everything is fine,” the email said.

"I have a hard time believing that Peng Shuai actually wrote the email we received or believes what is being attributed to her." Steve Simon said.

"The WTA and the rest of the world need independent and verifiable proof that she is safe. I have repeatedly tried to reach her via numerous forms of communication, to no avail." he added.

Tennis legend Martina Navratilova has backed the WTA's statement on the matter and called it "A very strong stance by WTA- and the correct stance!"

Sexual Assault Allegations

In a long post in Weibo, Peng provided details of her sordid relationship with the former vice premier.

The post was takedown quickly but not before it went viral. Weibo also appears to have restricted access to Peng's account.

Peng’s post and subsequent disappearance from the public eye has attracted international attention.

Chinese communist party under President Xi Jinping has ruthlessly crushed feminist activism and country's powerful censor apparatus censors quickly expunges any references to #MeToo

In mid-2018, as many women in China began sharing their own #MeToo stories online.

Xianzi, a feisty young girl had emerged as face of #MeToo movement in China. Xianzi, who was an intern at China’s national television network, in a blog post accused Zhu Jun, a famous state broadcasting host and member of China’s political advisory body, of forcibly groping and kissing her. Her post, and a subsequent one, went viral across China’s social media.

The following day she went to the police to report it but, she says, they told her he was a famous person of good reputation and “positive energy” for the country, so she should leave it alone. They also contacted her parents – party members with government jobs – and warned them that she shouldn’t speak out.