Jubilee Post News & Views
Special Desk
Sports personalities across the globe have raised concern over Peng Shuai’s disappearance soon after she alleged sexual harassment by a former Chinese state leader.
“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 she become the latest athlete to voice concern over Peng Shuai. She included the hashtag #WhereIsPengShuai.
Peng, one of China’s most prominent tennis stars, accused former Vice Premier Zhang Gaoli of coercing her into sex at his home three years ago, according to screenshots of a social media post dated November 2, now deleted.
Peng’s post on Weibo, China’s Twitter-like platform, was deleted within 30 minutes of publication. Chinese censors moved 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. And no one knows of tells about her well being.
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.” 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, and 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 handle.
The ATP Tour, a worldwide top-tier tennis tour for men, said in a statement 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. But no details were provided as to who gave assurances.
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.
