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Chinese Tennis Star Alleges Rape

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Chinese Tennis Star Alleges Rape

Post by Grossefavourite » Nov Wed 03, 2021 4:34 pm

Peng Shuai: Chinese tennis star makes sexual assault claims

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Chinese tennis star Peng Shuai has publicly accused a retired Communist official of sexual assault.

In a post on Chinese social media site Weibo, Ms Peng said former Vice Premier, Zhang Gaoli, had "forced" her to have sexual relations with him.

It is the first time such an allegation has been made against one of China's senior political leaders.

Mr Zhang has not responded to her claims. The post has since been scrubbed from China's internet.

Searches for Ms Peng - a former number one ranked tennis doubles player - also appear to have been restricted.

Mr Zhang, 75, served as China's Vice Premier between 2013 and 2018 and was a close ally of Chinese President Xi Jinping.

"I know that someone of your eminence, Vice Premier Zhang Gaoli, you'll say that you're not afraid", Ms Peng wrote in her post, "but even if it's just striking a stone with a pebble, or a moth attacking a flame and courting self destruction, I will tell the truth about you."

She said he had first coerced her after she visited his home to play tennis. "That afternoon I didn't give my consent and couldn't stop crying," she wrote. "You brought me to your house and forced me and you to have relations".

Ms Peng, 35, acknowledged that she would not be able to provide proof to back up her claims.

"I have no evidence, and it has been impossible to leave any evidence... You were always afraid that I would bring something like a tape recorder, to record evidence or something... There is no audio record, no video record, only my distorted but very real experience."

The tennis star's social media post is the latest development in a series of high profile MeToo cases in China. A popular TV host, Zhou Xiaoxuan, came forward with her claims against another TV personality, Zhu Jun in an online essay in 2018.

The piece went viral and prompted many others to come forward with their own experiences of sexual harassment. Mr Zhu has denied all the claims.

Though Ms Zhou launched legal action against Mr Zhu, the case was dismissed in September.

Chinese courts rarely grant hearings to such cases, and the country only very recently passed legislation that clearly defined sexual harassment.

In her tennis career, Ms Peng has won two Grand Slam women's doubles trophies, the first at Wimbledon in 2013 and the second at the Roland Garros tournament in 2014, both alongside Taiwan's Hsieh Su-wei.

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Re: Chinese Tennis Star Alleges Rape

Post by Ace2Ace » Nov Wed 03, 2021 8:12 pm

If a US tennis player made such a claim against a tennis official, the guy would already be in a hot seat. In China, nothing gonna happen to that dude. Different time, different culture, different politics.

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Re: Chinese Tennis Star Alleges Rape

Post by Grossefavourite » Nov Wed 03, 2021 9:41 pm

Ace2Ace wrote:
Nov Wed 03, 2021 8:12 pm
If a US tennis player made such a claim against a tennis official, the guy would already be in a hot seat. In China, nothing gonna happen to that dude. Different time, different culture, different politics.
Why 'tennis official'? He's hardly that. He's described as 'China's Vice Premier between 2013 and 2018 and ...a close ally of Chinese President Xi Jinping.'

I believe her because it's China and he's a very, big deal. Couldn't have been easy for her to come forward against someone like this.

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Re: Chinese Tennis Star Alleges Rape

Post by Joylan1 » Nov Thu 04, 2021 9:18 pm

I am not sure I believe her, was it just play for pay?

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Re: Chinese Tennis Star Alleges Rape

Post by Ace2Ace » Nov Mon 08, 2021 8:14 am

Grossefavourite wrote:
Nov Wed 03, 2021 9:41 pm
Why 'tennis official'? He's hardly that. He's described as 'China's Vice Premier between 2013 and 2018 and ...a close ally of Chinese President Xi Jinping.'
Why tennis official? Because US Prime Minister or the people working close to the President will not be involved with tennis players.

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Re: Chinese Tennis Star Alleges Rape

Post by Grossefavourite » Nov Wed 17, 2021 9:26 am

Naomi Osaka joins chorus of international concern for Chinese tennis star Peng Shuai

Hong Kong (CNN)Tennis superstar Naomi Osaka has become the latest athlete to voice concern over Peng Shuai, who has not been seen in public since accusing a former Chinese state leader of sexual assault.

"Censorship is never OK at any cost, I hope Peng Shuai and her family are safe and OK. I'm in shock of the current situation and I'm sending love and light her way," Osaka said as part of a Twitter statement on Tuesday.

She included the hashtag #WhereIsPengShuai.
Peng, one of China's most recognizable tennis stars, accused former Vice Premier Zhang Gaoli of coercing her into sex at his home three years ago, according to screenshots of a since-deleted social media post dated November 2.

Peng's post on Weibo, China's Twitter-like platform, was deleted within 30 minutes of publication, with Chinese censors moving swiftly to wipe out any mention of the accusation online.

Peng has not been seen in public since the accusation and her whereabouts have not been publicly disclosed. Her Weibo account, which has more than half a million followers, is still blocked from searchers on the platform.

A growing number of international athletes have expressed concern for Peng.

Tennis legend and 39 time Grand Slam championship-winner Billie Jean King said on Twitter, "Hoping that Peng Shuai is found safe and that her accusations are fully investigated."

And former world No.1 Chris Evert said, "these accusations are very disturbing."
"I've known Peng since she was 14; we should all be concerned; this is serious; where is she? Is she safe? Any information would be appreciated," she said in a post on Twitter.

On Sunday, the Women's Tennis Association (WTA) called on the Chinese government to investigate the allegations, insisting the former top-ranked doubles player should be "heard, not censored."

In a statement, WTA Chairman and CEO Steve Simon said Peng's accusations were of "deep concern" adding the allegations must be investigated "fully, fairly, transparently and without censorship."

"Peng Shuai, and all women, deserve to be heard, not censored," Simon said. "Her accusation about the conduct of a former Chinese leader involving a sexual assault must be treated with the utmost seriousness."

Former top ranking Czech American tennis player Martina Navratilova said she supported the WTA's call for an investigation. "A very strong stance by the WTA -- and the correct stance," she wrote on Twitter.

The ATP Tour, a worldwide top-tier tennis tour for men, said in a statement Monday it was "encouraged by the recent assurances received by WTA that (Peng) is safe and accounted for and will continue to monitor the situation closely." No further details were provided as to the veracity of the assurances -- or who provided them.

"Separately, we stand in full support of WTA's call for a full, fair and transparent investigation into allegations of sexual assault against Peng Shuai," ATP Chairman Andrea Gaudenzi said in the statement.

Zhang, 75, served on the ruling Communist Party's seven person Politiburo Standing Committee -- the country's supreme leadership body -- from 2012 to 2017 during Chinese leader Xi Jinping's first term in power. He retired as vice premier in 2018.
In the post, which reads as an open letter to Zhang, the 35-year-old tennis star alleges a relationship over an intermittent period that spanned at least 10 years.

"Why did you have to come back to me, took me to your home to force me to have sex with you?" she wrote.
Peng said she did not have evidence to prove her allegations, and claimed Zhang was always worried that she would record things.
"I couldn't describe how disgusted I was, and how many times I asked myself am I still a human? I feel like a walking corpse," wrote Peng.

CNN cannot independently verify Peng's post, and has reached out to both her and China's State Council, which handles press inquires for the central government, for comment.

Peng's explosive #MeToo allegations against a former state leader have reverberated across the Chinese internet, despite authorities' attempts to to wipe out any mention of such a politically sensitive scandal.

And on Wednesday, China evaded questions from the media about Peng's allegations against Zhang.
Chinese MOFA spokesperson Zhao Lijian suggested reporters should reach out to the "competent department," despite reporters remarking on the lack of response from the Ministry of Public Security.

Speaking at a press conference, Zhao was asked about the Women's Tennis Association's (WTA) concerns over Peng's "safety and whereabouts" and if the government planned on taking any action, to which Zhao said the issue "wasn't a diplomatic matter," declining to comment any further.

Reporters in the room continued to press on the subject, claiming they had reached out to the Ministry of Public Security for comment, but had not heard back, which resulted in questions about which department journalists should reach out to for more details.
"Do you think the Foreign Ministry spokesperson is omnipotent?" Zhao replied.

"You should go ask competent department," Zhao added, once again avoiding the reporter's question.
CNN Beijing bureau contributed to this report.

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Re: Chinese Tennis Star Alleges Rape

Post by Grossefavourite » Nov Thu 18, 2021 11:22 am

Doubts cast on alleged email from tennis star Peng Shuai amid worries over her whereabouts

Hong Kong (CNN)The head of the Women's Tennis Association has cast doubt on an email claiming to be from Chinese tennis star Peng Shuai, saying it only raises further concerns for her safety.

China's state-owned television broadcaster CGTN released the email, purportedly from Peng, in the early hours of Wednesday morning local time, amid growing international concern for her whereabouts.

One of China's most recognizable tennis stars, Peng has not been seen in public since she accused former Vice Premier Zhang Gaoli of coercing her into sex at his home three years ago, according to screenshots of a since-deleted social media post dated November 2.
Her post on Weibo, China's Twitter-like platform, was deleted within 30 minutes of publication, with Chinese censors moving swiftly to wipe out any mention of the accusation online. Her Weibo account, which has more than half a million followers, is still blocked from searchers on the platform.

The email -- which has not been verified by CNN -- claimed Peng is fine and appears to walk back her sexual allegations. It was sent to the WTA Chairman and CEO Steve Simon, CGTN reported.

Simon has said he doubts the email is authentic.

"The statement released today by Chinese state media concerning Peng Shuai only raises my concerns as to her safety and whereabouts," Simon said in a statement. "I have a hard time believing that Peng Shuai actually wrote the email we received or believes what is being attributed to her."

He added: "Peng Shuai must be allowed to speak freely, without coercion or intimidation from any source. Her allegation of sexual assault must be respected, investigated with full transparency and without censorship."

The alleged email was released by CGTN only in English and domestic Chinese media have not reported on its contents, despite Peng being a household name in China.

On Thursday, a video showed a TV in China tuned into CNN International's programming which then transitions into bars, due to CNNi's signal being censored in China to prevent further reporting on Peng's accusations.

Sports stars speak out
Following the decision by the WTA to issue a statement demanding China respond to Peng's allegations Sunday, a growing number of prominent athletes have spoken out on the issue.

"Censorship is never OK at any cost, I hope Peng Shuai and her family are safe and OK. I'm in shock of the current situation and I'm sending love and light her way," tennis superstar Naomi Osaka said as part of a Twitter statement on Tuesday, alongside the hashtag #WhereIsPengShuai.

Tennis legend and 39 time Grand Slam championship-winner Billie Jean King said on Twitter, "Hoping that Peng Shuai is found safe and that her accusations are fully investigated."

And former world No.1 Chris Evert said, "these accusations are very disturbing."

"I've known Peng since she was 14; we should all be concerned; this is serious; where is she? Is she safe? Any information would be appreciated," she said in a post on Twitter.

Tennis' popularity in China has grown rapidly over the past few decades, with several Chinese players breaking into the global rankings. The women's game, in particular, is a big market, thanks in part to the success of Chinese tennis star Li Na, who in 2011 became Asia's first grand slam singles tennis champion when she won the French Open, followed by a second major title at the 2014 Australian Open.
In recent years, the WTA has made a big push into China. In 2019, China hosted several WTA tournaments, including the WTA Finals held in Shenzhen for the first time that year. The event is set to return to the Chinese city from 2022 and be held there every year until 2030, according to the WTA.

The direct and highly public intervention of the WTA is unusual for an international sporting body. Perceived criticisms of China, which is also due to host the 2022 Winter Olympics in February, have previously resulted in significant public and political backlash, as well as loss of access.

In 2019, the National Basketball Association (NBA) became caught between free speech and the lucrative Chinese market when Houston Rockets General Manager Daryl Morey tweeted his support for anti-government protesters in Hong Kong. The response from China was severe, with the NBA's Chinese partners suspending ties, state broadcaster CCTV halting all broadcasts of preseason matches.

Last month, NBA faced a similar firestorm with Boston Celtics center Enes Kanter's social media posts bringing awareness to China's treatment of the Uyghur community, Tibet, Taiwan and Hong Kong.

Amnesty International also called on China to prove Peng is safe and to investigate the sexual assault allegations, saying the country has "systematically silenced the country's #MeToo movement."

"Peng's recent so-called statement that 'everything is fine' should not be taken at face value as China's state media has a track record of forcing statements out of individuals under duress, or else simply fabricating them. These concerns will not go away unless Peng's safety and whereabouts are confirmed," Amnesty International's China Researcher, Doriane Lau, said.

"While it is currently difficult to speculate on the reasons behind Peng Shuai's apparent disappearance, what is clear is that her allegations of sexual violence by a senior politician must be properly investigated by the Chinese authorities.
"Peng Shuai's case highlights the treatment faced by women survivors of sexual abuse in China, whose allegations are routinely ignored and who are often targeted for speaking out."

Politically sensitive scandal
Peng's explosive #MeToo allegations against former Vice Premier Zhang Gaoli have continued to reverberate across China, despite authorities' attempts to to wipe out any mention of such a politically sensitive scandal.

Zhang, 75, served on the ruling Communist Party's seven person Politiburo Standing Committee -- the country's supreme leadership body -- from 2012 to 2017 during Chinese leader Xi Jinping's first term in power. He retired as vice premier in 2018.
In her post, which reads as an open letter to Zhang, the 35-year-old tennis star alleges a relationship over an intermittent period that spanned at least 10 years.

"Why did you have to come back to me, took me to your home to force me to have sex with you?" she wrote.
Peng said she did not have evidence to prove her allegations, and claimed Zhang was always worried that she would record things.
"I couldn't describe how disgusted I was, and how many times I asked myself am I still a human? I feel like a walking corpse," wrote Peng.
CNN cannot independently verify Peng's post, and has reached out to both her and China's State Council, which handles press inquires for the central government, for comment.
Jennifer Hsu, a research fellow in the diplomacy and public opinion program at the Lowy Institute, said Beijing is "acutely aware" of the negative light Peng's accusations cast on the Chinese Communist Party.
She said it was "possible the email was shared to an international audience to ward off further international scrutiny of the party-state."
"People who accuse current government officials or former officials in China can expect consequences," Hsu said. "The public accusation against the former vice premiere may perhaps prompt other women to bring allegations of sexual misconduct by Communist Party members to the public and this something the party wishes to prevent. And thus, the 'disappearance' of Peng Shuai is perhaps a strategy used to deter other accusers from coming forward."

On Wednesday, China evaded questions from the media about Peng's allegations against Zhang.
Chinese MOFA spokesperson Zhao Lijian suggested reporters should reach out to the "competent department," despite reporters remarking on the lack of response from the Ministry of Public Security.

Speaking at a press conference, Zhao was asked about the WTA's concerns over Peng's "safety and whereabouts" and if the government planned on taking any action, to which Zhao said the issue "wasn't a diplomatic matter," declining to comment any further.
When asked again on Thursday about Peng's whereabouts, Zhao repeated that her sexual assault accusation is not a diplomatic issue and declined to comment further.

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Re: Chinese Tennis Star Alleges Rape

Post by Pyotr » Nov Thu 18, 2021 5:01 pm

Joylan1 wrote:
Nov Thu 04, 2021 9:18 pm
I am not sure I believe her, was it just play for pay?
I lean towards believing her only because as she alluded to she was/is definitely “courting self destruction”. Given the culture and political landscape, she has nothing to gain and quite literally everything to lose. Furthermore, given the CCP’s treatment of the Uyghur’s and little the international community has seemed to care, I sadly hold out little hope for Peng Shuai.

I look to see how far the tennis community as a whole takes this. Divesting any and all wta/itf/ and possibly atp tournaments from China?

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Re: Chinese Tennis Star Alleges Rape

Post by Grossefavourite » Nov Fri 19, 2021 10:04 am

UN calls for proof of Chinese tennis star's whereabouts; WTA chairman willing to pull out of China.

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Re: Chinese Tennis Star Alleges Rape

Post by Grossefavourite » Nov Sat 20, 2021 4:17 pm

A video claiming to show Chinese player Peng Shuai out with friends is "insufficient" evidence of her safety, says Women's Tennis Association chief Steve Simon.



On Saturday, Chinese state-affiliated media posted two clips on Twitter of Peng purportedly having dinner with her coach and friends in a restaurant.

"While it is positive to see her, it remains unclear if she is free and able to make decisions and take actions on her own, without coercion or external interference," said Simon.

Peng, 35, has not been in direct contact with the WTA since making sexual assault allegations against a former China vice-premier two weeks ago.

The governing body of the women's professional tour has been told Peng is safe, and in Beijing, by the Chinese Tennis Association, although Simon said on Friday there has been no confirmation if that is true.

On Saturday, the editor of the Global Times - which is a Chinese state-affiliated media organisation - posted the clips of Peng which he said were filmed this weekend.

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