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

Peng has not been seen in public because the accusation and her whereabouts haven't been publicly disclosed. Her Weibo account, which has greater than half one million followers, continues to be blocked from searchers on the platform. A rising quantity of international athletes have expressed concern for Peng.Tennis legend and 39 time Grand Slam championship-winner Billie Jean King mentioned on Twitter, "Hoping that Peng Shuai is found safe and that her accusations are fully investigated."And former world No.1 Chris Evert mentioned, "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 mentioned in a submit on Twitter.

An alleged letter from Peng

"Peng Shuai, and all women, deserve to be heard, not censored," Simon mentioned. "Her accusation about the conduct of a former Chinese leader involving a sexual assault must be treated with the utmost seriousness." Chinese state media CGTN later launched an e-mail alleged to be from Peng that claims she is okay and seems to stroll again on her allegations. However, the e-mail has not been verified by CNN, and CGTN didn't present any video or additional proof verifying Peng's whereabouts.The purported e-mail reads: "Regarding the recent news released on the official website of the WTA, the content has not been confirmed or verified by myself and it was released without my consent. The news in that release, including the allegation of sexual assault, is not true. I'm not missing, nor am I unsafe. I've just been resting at home and everything is fine." "If the WTA publishes any more news about me, please verify it with me, and release it with my consent. As a professional tennis player, I thank you all for your companionship and consideration. I hope to promote Chinese tennis with you all if I have the chance in the future. I hope Chinese tennis will become better and better," it continues.CNN has reached out the WTA to verify whether or not such an e-mail was obtained. CGTN did not clarify the way it obtained the letter.The ATP Tour, a worldwide top-tier tennis tour for males, had mentioned in an announcement Monday that 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," however didn't present any additional particulars in regards to the veracity of the assurances. "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 mentioned within the assertion.

Politically delicate scandal

Peng's explosive #MeToo allegations in opposition to a former state chief have reverberated throughout the Chinese web, regardless of authorities' makes an attempt to to wipe out any point out of such a politically delicate scandal.Zhang, 75, served on the ruling Communist Party's seven particular person Politiburo Standing Committee -- the nation's supreme management physique -- from 2012 to 2017 throughout Chinese chief Xi Jinping's first time period in energy. He retired as vice premier in 2018. In her submit, which reads as an open letter to Zhang, the 35-year-old tennis star alleges a relationship over an intermittent interval that spanned no less than 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 mentioned she didn't have proof to show her allegations, and claimed Zhang was all the time nervous that she would file issues."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 can't independently confirm Peng's submit, and has reached out to each her and China's State Council, which handles press inquires for the central authorities, for remark.On Wednesday, China evaded questions from the media about Peng's allegations in opposition to Zhang. Chinese MOFA spokesperson Zhao Lijian recommended reporters ought to attain out to the "competent department," regardless of reporters remarking on the dearth of response from the Ministry of Public Security.Speaking at a press convention, Zhao was requested in regards to the WTA's issues over Peng's "safety and whereabouts" and if the federal government deliberate on taking any motion, to which Zhao mentioned the difficulty "wasn't a diplomatic matter," declining to remark any additional.Reporters within the room continued to press on the topic, claiming they'd reached out to the Ministry of Public Security for remark, however had not heard again, which resulted in questions on which division journalists ought to attain out to for more particulars."Do you think the Foreign Ministry spokesperson is omnipotent?" Zhao replied."You should go ask competent department," Zhao added, as soon as once more avoiding the reporter's query.