How tennis player Peng Shuai’s disappearance is a classic case of China’s inherent insecurities
3 years ago

How tennis player Peng Shuai’s disappearance is a classic case of China’s inherent insecurities

Firstpost  

A single incident could be the spark of a revolution in a totalitarian country like China. It is this spark which has compelled Beijing to spend billions on monitoring and suppressing its population Chinese tennis player Peng Shuai has been missing since she posted a message on Chinese social media platform Weibo on 2 November accusing a former vice premier and a close confidant of Chinese president Xi Jinping of forcing her to have sex. Rising global calls and threat of boycott forced China to act on Peng Shuai’s case. It is a case of another dissenter being pushed deep into the Chinese penal system solely because she questioned the Chinese political hierarchy, which is considered supreme in China. Such is Chinese fear of internal dissent that China has, between 2007 and 2019, tripled its domestic security spending to more than 1.24 trillion yuan.

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History of this topic

China cracks down on unruly behavior of online fans
4 months, 1 week ago

China cracks down on unruly behavior of online fans

China Daily  

Chen Meng embraces Sun Yingsha after defending her Olympic crown in the women's singles table tennis final at the Paris Olympics on Saturday. LIU PING/FOR CHINA DAILY Since the Paris Olympics, Chinese authorities have stepped up efforts to address unruly behavior in online fan communities, working with various agencies to crack down on illegal activities. On Saturday, the Chinese Table …

WTA must keep Peng Shuai case in public eye on China return, says human rights advocate
1 year, 3 months ago

WTA must keep Peng Shuai case in public eye on China return, says human rights advocate

The Hindu  

Elite women’s tennis returns to China for the first time in four years at Guangzhou next week after the WTA ended a boycott over concerns about Peng Shuai, but her wellbeing should remain the focus, a senior human rights advocate told Reuters on Friday. The women’s tour had been widely praised for suspending its tournaments in the Asian nation after …

Women’s tennis tour ends Peng Shuai-inspired China boycott
1 year, 8 months ago

Women’s tennis tour ends Peng Shuai-inspired China boycott

Associated Press  

The women’s professional tennis tour will bring its events back to China later this year, announcing on Thursday the end of a boycott instituted in late 2021 over concerns about the safety of former player Peng Shuai after she accused a high-ranking government official there of sexual assault. WTA Chairman and CEO Steve Simon said in an interview with The …

Women's tennis tour ends Peng Shuai-inspired China boycott
1 year, 8 months ago

Women's tennis tour ends Peng Shuai-inspired China boycott

The Hindu  

The women’s professional tennis tour will bring its events back to China later this year, announcing on April 13 the end of a boycott instituted in late 2021 over concerns about the safety of former player Peng Shuai after she accused a high-ranking government official there of sexual assault. WTA Chairman and CEO Steve Simon said in an interview with …

Explained: Why is women’s tennis China boycott over Peng Shuai ending
1 year, 8 months ago

Explained: Why is women’s tennis China boycott over Peng Shuai ending

The Hindu  

The women’s professional tennis tour is ending its suspension of tournaments in China that was initiated in late 2021 over concerns about Grand Slam doubles champion Peng Shuai’s well-being. FILE PHOTO: Supporters of Chinese tennis player Peng Shuai hold up T-shirts ahead of the women’s final at the Australian Open in Melbourne on Jan. 29, 2022. | Photo Credit: AP …

Why is women’s tennis China boycott over Peng Shuai ending?
1 year, 8 months ago

Why is women’s tennis China boycott over Peng Shuai ending?

Associated Press  

The women’s professional tennis tour is ending its suspension of tournaments in China that was initiated in late 2021 over concerns about Grand Slam doubles champion Peng Shuai’s well-being. The WTA announced Thursday that it will return to competition in China this season, even though two of its key requests were never met: a chance to meet with Peng, and …

WTA says return to China will require resolution to Peng Shuai case
1 year, 11 months ago

WTA says return to China will require resolution to Peng Shuai case

The Hindu  

The return of WTA tournaments to China in 2023 will hinge on a resolution to the Peng Shuai issue, with the governing body of the women’s game telling Reuters on Wednesday it had still not met the Chinese former doubles world number one personally. A provisional 2023 tournament calendar released late last year listed the WTA’s schedule up to September, …

AP Interview: Tennis tour CEO still wants Peng Shuai inquiry
2 years, 1 month ago

AP Interview: Tennis tour CEO still wants Peng Shuai inquiry

Associated Press  

FORT WORTH, Texas — The man in charge of women’s professional tennis, Steve Simon, has been sitting close enough to the action at the season-ending WTA Finals this week — from a seat in front of the front row, as courtside as can be — that a player easily could wander over for a mid-match chat. “Everyone’s looking for stability,” …

Peng Shuai mistakenly included in Rome tournament schedule
2 years, 7 months ago

Peng Shuai mistakenly included in Rome tournament schedule

Firstpost  

The Rome tennis tournament organisers caused surprise by including Peng Shuai, the Chinese player at the centre of sexual allegations against a senior politician, on a training schedule. Rome: The Rome tennis tournament organisers caused surprise on Sunday by including the name of Peng Shuai, the Chinese player at the centre of sexual allegations against a senior politician, on a …

Journalist who spoke to Peng Shuai says doubts remain
2 years, 10 months ago

Journalist who spoke to Peng Shuai says doubts remain

Associated Press  

BEIJING — One of the journalists who conducted the first sit-down interview with Chinese tennis star Peng Shuai said Tuesday that the carefully controlled conversation did not answer questions about whether she can speak her mind or move freely. “It’s important, I think, for the Chinese Olympic Committee, for the Communist Party and for many people in China to try …

Journalist Who Interviewed Peng Shuai Acknowledges It Was 'Propaganda'
2 years, 10 months ago

Journalist Who Interviewed Peng Shuai Acknowledges It Was 'Propaganda'

Huff Post  

LOADING ERROR LOADING BEIJING — It was the interview many sports journalists wanted: A sit-down with Chinese tennis star Peng Shuai, prepped and ready to talk for the first time with Western media about allegations she made of forced sex with a former top-ranked Communist Party official that triggered a global outpouring of fears for her safety. Journalists, they can …

Peng Shuai saga hews to familiar script in China
2 years, 10 months ago

Peng Shuai saga hews to familiar script in China

Associated Press  

BEIJING — The drama surrounding Peng Shuai is following a familiar script, in which someone who has run afoul of China’s Communist government disappears from view. I n an interview published Monday by a French sports paper, the tennis player called the whole situation an “enormous misunderstanding.” Here’s a look at a some other people who have disappeared over the …

Peng Shuai repeats sexual assault denial, meets IOC chief Thomas Bach at Beijing Winter Olympics
2 years, 10 months ago

Peng Shuai repeats sexual assault denial, meets IOC chief Thomas Bach at Beijing Winter Olympics

Firstpost  

The former doubles world number one alleged in a social media post in November that former Chinese vice-premier Zhang Gaoli forced her into sex during a years-long relationship. Beijing: Chinese tennis star Peng Shuai said she never accused anyone of sexual assault, according to an interview published Monday, again walking back an allegation that sparked worldwide concern about her safety. …

Peng Shuai says allegation was ‘misunderstanding’ in interview with French newspaper; plans to retire
2 years, 10 months ago

Peng Shuai says allegation was ‘misunderstanding’ in interview with French newspaper; plans to retire

New York Times  

Chinese tennis player Peng Shuai said global concerns over her well-being were a "misunderstanding" and denied making allegations of sexual assault against former vice premier Zhang Gaoli in a highly controlled interview with French newspaper L'Equipe, her first with an international outlet since making the accusations in a since-deleted social media post in November. Peng told the newspaper that she …

Peng Shuai denies ever making sexual assault claim – with Chinese minder by her side
2 years, 10 months ago

Peng Shuai denies ever making sexual assault claim – with Chinese minder by her side

The Telegraph  

Peng Shuai, the Chinese tennis player of whom nothing was seen or heard for almost three weeks after she accused the country’s former vice-premier of sexual assault, has dramatically rowed back on her allegations, describing reports of her disappearance as a “huge misunderstanding”. In a highly-controlled interview, flanked by the president of the Chinese Olympic Committee and with all questions …

Peng Shuai: Chinese tennis star meets Olympic officials in Beijing
2 years, 10 months ago

Peng Shuai: Chinese tennis star meets Olympic officials in Beijing

CNN  

Hong Kong CNN — Olympic officials met with Chinese tennis superstar Peng Shuai over dinner on Saturday, the International Olympic Committee said – following through on a promise to hold a meeting with the athlete who has been at the center of international concern. Peng also told independent French sport news site L’Equipe in a sit-down interview in Beijing on …

Peng Shuai denies ‘disappearing’ after sex assault claim
2 years, 10 months ago

Peng Shuai denies ‘disappearing’ after sex assault claim

Al Jazeera  

Tennis star also tells French journalists that she did not make assault allegation and is retiring from the sport. Chinese tennis star Peng Shuai has denied she “disappeared” last year after making a claim of sexual assault against a top Chinese official on social media. I talked to them, I answered their emails, I also talked with the WTA.” Peng, …

An Olympic question that won’t go away: Where is Peng Shuai?
2 years, 10 months ago

An Olympic question that won’t go away: Where is Peng Shuai?

Associated Press  

BEIJING — The question that won’t go away for the International Olympic Committee and Beijing Olympic organizers: Where is Peng Shuai? Peng’s accusations of sexual assault against former vice premier Zhang Gaoli, once a member of the all-powerful Politburo Standing Committee, were scrubbed almost immediately from the internet in China when they appeared three months ago. “It’s a very delicate …

Peng Shuai, the Chinese tennis star, denies sexual assault by government leader
2 years, 10 months ago

Peng Shuai, the Chinese tennis star, denies sexual assault by government leader

NPR  

Peng Shuai, the Chinese tennis star, denies sexual assault by government leader Enlarge this image toggle caption Paul Crock/AFP via Getty Images Paul Crock/AFP via Getty Images BEIJING – Chinese tennis star Peng Shuai walked back her sexual assault allegations against a powerful Chinese official and said she was retiring from playing tennis competitively in a carefully-managed interview published this …

Peng Shuai can move freely in China, says IOC president before meeting tennis player in Beijing
2 years, 10 months ago

Peng Shuai can move freely in China, says IOC president before meeting tennis player in Beijing

The Independent  

Sign up to our free sport newsletter for all the latest news on everything from cycling to boxing Sign up to our free sport email for all the latest news Sign up to our free sport email for all the latest news SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Now the …

IOC president Bach says Peng Shuai can move freely in China
2 years, 10 months ago

IOC president Bach says Peng Shuai can move freely in China

Associated Press  

BEIJING — The president of the International Olympic Committee sought to play down concerns about the safety of Chinese tennis player Peng Shuai on Thursday while also saying he planned to go ahead with their long-promised dinner during the Beijing Games. IOC president Thomas Bach is among the few people outside China to have spoken with Peng in the past …

Head of International Olympic Committee says Peng Shuai can move freely in China
2 years, 10 months ago

Head of International Olympic Committee says Peng Shuai can move freely in China

LA Times  

China’s Peng Shuai serves to Japan’s Nao Hibino during their first-round singles match at the Australian Open in 2020. The president of the International Olympic Committee sought to play down concerns about the safety of Chinese tennis player Peng Shuai on Thursday and said he planned to go ahead with their long-promised dinner during the Beijing Games. IOC President Thomas …

The Olympic chief will meet with Chinese tennis star Peng Shuai after safety concerns
2 years, 10 months ago

The Olympic chief will meet with Chinese tennis star Peng Shuai after safety concerns

NPR  

The Olympic chief will meet with Chinese tennis star Peng Shuai after safety concerns Enlarge this image toggle caption Anne-Christine Poujoulat/AFP via Getty Images Anne-Christine Poujoulat/AFP via Getty Images BEIJING --International Olympic Committee President Thomas Bach said he plans to meet Peng Shuai — the Chinese tennis star who accused a former top Community Party official of sexual assault — …

Tennis: Peng Shuai T-shirt campaign resumes at Australian Open
2 years, 10 months ago

Tennis: Peng Shuai T-shirt campaign resumes at Australian Open

Al Jazeera  

The T-shirts highlight concerns about the wellbeing of the Chinese tennis player, who was absent from public view for three weeks last year after she alleged that a former Chinese vice premier sexually assaulted her. Activists made the most of the reversal of an earlier ban by giving away hundreds of T-shirts bearing the question “Where is Peng Shuai?” on …

Where is Peng Shuai? Australian Open T-shirts grab attention
2 years, 10 months ago

Where is Peng Shuai? Australian Open T-shirts grab attention

Associated Press  

MELBOURNE, Australia — Even as he was being ejected from the Australian Open for wearing a white T-shirt with a “Where is Peng Shuai?” slogan in black letters, Max Mok saw an opportunity to amplify the message of concern for the Grand Slam doubles champion and Olympian from China whose well-being has come into question. “We’ve seen members of the …

Garbine Muguruza fears 'real truth' about Peng Shuai may never be known
2 years, 11 months ago

Garbine Muguruza fears 'real truth' about Peng Shuai may never be known

Firstpost  

There remain doubts about how free Peng really is and having made global headlines for weeks, the outcry about her plight has since died down Melbourne: World number three Garbine Muguruza said Saturday that the “real truth” about what happened to Peng Shuai may never be known after the tennis star accused a senior Chinese politician of sexual assault. However, …

Peng Shuai tells paper she never wrote of being assaulted
3 years ago

Peng Shuai tells paper she never wrote of being assaulted

Associated Press  

BEIJING — Chinese tennis star Peng Shuai has denied saying she was sexually assaulted, despite a November social media post attributed to her that accused a former top Communist Party official of forcing her into sex. Peng dropped out of sight after the accusation against former Vice Premier Zhang Gaoli briefly appeared on her verified Weibo social media before being …

Peng Shuai tells paper she never wrote of being assaulted
3 years ago

Peng Shuai tells paper she never wrote of being assaulted

India TV News  

Highlights Peng wasn't asked if her social media account was hacked into The paper said it interviewed Peng at a promotional event for the Beijing Winter Olympic Games Peng dropped out of site after rape accusation against Gaoli briefly appeared on her Weibo account Chinese tennis player Peng Shuai retracted from her claims of being sexually assaulted by a former …

At appearance in China, tennis star Peng Shuai denies saying she was sexually assaulted
3 years ago

At appearance in China, tennis star Peng Shuai denies saying she was sexually assaulted

LA Times  

Chinese tennis player Peng Shuai reacts to a shot during her first-round match at the Australian Open in January 2020. Chinese tennis star Peng Shuai has denied saying she was sexually assaulted by a former top Communist Party official, despite a November social media post attributed to her that accused him of forcing her into sex. Peng dropped out of …

Peng Shuai: Chinese tennis star denies making sexual assault allegation against Zhang Gaoli, but WTA concerns persist
3 years ago

Peng Shuai: Chinese tennis star denies making sexual assault allegation against Zhang Gaoli, but WTA concerns persist

CNN  

Hong Kong CNN — Chinese tennis star Peng Shuai has denied making sexual assault allegations against a retired Communist Party leader, following more than a month of growing concern about her safety and whereabouts that led to the Women’s Tennis Association pulling out of China. In Sunday’s interview, Peng expressed her appreciation toward the IOC, saying she feels “very grateful” …

Chinese tennis star Peng Shuai denies she made accusation of sexual assault
3 years ago

Chinese tennis star Peng Shuai denies she made accusation of sexual assault

Deccan Chronicle  

BEIJING: Chinese tennis star Peng Shuai said on Sunday that she had never accused anyone of sexually assaulting her, and that a social media post she had made early last month had been misunderstood. "First, I need to stress one point that is extremely important, I have never said or written that anyone has sexually assaulted me, I have to …

Peng Shuai: China tennis star denies making sexual assault claim
3 years ago

Peng Shuai: China tennis star denies making sexual assault claim

Al Jazeera  

Peng Shuai says a Weibo post that accused a former Communist Party official of sexual assault has been misunderstood. Chinese tennis star Peng Shuai has denied accusing anyone of sexually assaulting her, despite an earlier social media post that said a former Communist Party official had forced her into having sex. Peng’s interview with Lianhe Zaobao came amid increasing concern …

Diplomatic boycotts, Peng case test IOC before Beijing Games
3 years ago

Diplomatic boycotts, Peng case test IOC before Beijing Games

Associated Press  

GENEVA — The president of the International Olympic Committee did his best to stay neutral Wednesday as Canada, Britain and Australia followed the United States in announcing diplomatic boycotts of the Winter Games in Beijing. The rest is politics.” Bach also praised himself for his video calls with tennis player Peng Shuai, a former Olympian from China who has mostly …

International Olympic Committee Unable to Give Certainties Amid Concern for Peng Shuai
3 years ago

International Olympic Committee Unable to Give Certainties Amid Concern for Peng Shuai

News 18  

After five weeks of concern about the safety of tennis player Peng Shuai in China, the International Olympic Committee said Tuesday it cannot give any certainties about her case. The IOC’s two video calls with the Grand Slam doubles champion are the only reported contacts Peng has had with people outside China since Nov. 2 when she sent a social …

IOC unable to give certainties amid concern for Chinese tennis player Peng Shuai
3 years ago

IOC unable to give certainties amid concern for Chinese tennis player Peng Shuai

Firstpost  

Critics have claimed the IOC is enabling a cover-up by China ahead of the state-backed project to host the Winter Olympics in Beijing in February. Lausanne: After five weeks of concern about the safety of tennis player Peng Shuai in China, the International Olympic Committee said Tuesday it cannot give any certainties about her case. The IOC’s two video calls …

International Olympic Committee unable to give certainties amid concern for Peng Shuai
3 years ago

International Olympic Committee unable to give certainties amid concern for Peng Shuai

The Hindu  

After five weeks of concern about the safety of tennis player Peng Shuai in China, the International Olympic Committee said Tuesday it cannot give any certainties about her case. The IOC’s two video calls with the Grand Slam doubles champion are the only reported contacts Peng has had with people outside China since Nov. 2 when she sent a social …

IOC unable to give certainties amid concern for Peng Shuai
3 years ago

IOC unable to give certainties amid concern for Peng Shuai

Associated Press  

LAUSANNE, Switzerland — After five weeks of concern about the safety of tennis player Peng Shuai in China, the International Olympic Committee said Tuesday it cannot give any certainties about her case. The IOC’s two video calls with the Grand Slam doubles champion are the only reported contacts Peng has had with people outside China since Nov. 2 when she …

ITF chief David Haggerty doesn't want 'to punish billion Chinese people' over Shuai Peng
3 years ago

ITF chief David Haggerty doesn't want 'to punish billion Chinese people' over Shuai Peng

Firstpost  

Peng, a 35-year-old Wimbledon and French Open doubles champion, has alleged that former Chinese vice-premier Zhang Gaoli, now in his 70s, forced her into sex during a years-long on-and-off relationship. International Tennis Federation president David Haggerty said Sunday that his organisation will not boycott China over the Peng Shuai affair as “we don’t want to punish a billion people”. “We …

No Plans to Suspend Events in China over Peng Shuai, Says ITF Chief
3 years ago

No Plans to Suspend Events in China over Peng Shuai, Says ITF Chief

News 18  

The president of the International Tennis Federation told the BBC that it did not have plans to suspend events in China amid widespread concern for player Peng Shuai. The former doubles world number one made a sexual assault accusation against former Chinese Vice-Premier Zhang Gaoli then disappeared from public view last month, prompting the Women’s Tennis Association to suspend its …

The Times podcast: A Chinese tennis star disappears
3 years ago

The Times podcast: A Chinese tennis star disappears

LA Times  

Peng Shuai of China at the U.S. Open tennis championships in New York in 2019. On Nov. 2, Chinese tennis star Peng Shuai published a letter on her verified social media account that accused a former top Chinese government official of sexual assault. Today, we speak with L.A. Times Beijing Bureau Chief Alice Su, who has been investigating this phenomenon. …

Peng Shuai: Beijing is angry at the WTA for pulling out of China. But it can’t let Chinese people know about it
3 years ago

Peng Shuai: Beijing is angry at the WTA for pulling out of China. But it can’t let Chinese people know about it

CNN  

Hong Kong CNN — The women’s professional tennis tour just called it quits on China. In contrast to the blanket silence at home, China’s government controlled-media lashed out at the Women’s Tennis Association on Twitter – a platform blocked in China – accusing the organization of “putting on an exaggerated show,” and “supporting the West’s attack on Chinese system.” The …

Peng Shuai: China opposes ‘politicisation’ of sports
3 years ago

Peng Shuai: China opposes ‘politicisation’ of sports

Hindustan Times  

China said on Thursday that politics should be kept out of sports after the Women’s Tennis Association suspended tournaments in the country over concerns for Chinese tennis player Peng Shuai’s safety. The WTA, the global governing body for women’s professional tennis, on Wednesday announced the “immediate suspension of all tournaments in China”, including in Hong Kong, citing concerns about the …

WTA to AP: Loss of China events over Peng could go past ’22
3 years ago

WTA to AP: Loss of China events over Peng could go past ’22

Associated Press  

The suspension of all WTA tournaments in China because of concerns about the safety of Peng Shuai, a Grand Slam doubles champion who accused a former government official there of sexual assault, could result in cancellations of those events beyond 2022, the head of the women’s professional tennis tour told The Associated Press on Wednesday. I mean, those are all …

Tennis stars hail WTA stand against China over Peng Shuai
3 years ago

Tennis stars hail WTA stand against China over Peng Shuai

Al Jazeera  

Some of the biggest names in the sport support tennis body’s move to suspend its tournaments in China as IOC criticised for its handling of the case. The Women’s Tennis Association’s made the decision over what its chairman Steve Simon called enduring “serious doubts” about the safety of Peng. Simon reiterated his calls for China to conduct “a full and …

WTA suspends tournaments in China over Peng Shuai controversy
3 years ago

WTA suspends tournaments in China over Peng Shuai controversy

The Hindu  

The Women's Tennis Association said on Wednesday it has decided to suspend tournaments in China due to concerns over the safety of former doubles world number one Peng Shuai. "I don't see how I can ask our athletes to compete there when Peng Shuai is not allowed to communicate freely and has seemingly been pressured to contradict her allegation of …

Stosur watching how Peng's 'terrible story' unfolds
3 years ago

Stosur watching how Peng's 'terrible story' unfolds

The Hindu  

Former U.S. Open champion Sam Stosur said she hoped China's Peng Shuai was safe and well and that the tour and players were waiting to see how the "terrible story" unfolds. The whereabouts of Peng, a former doubles world number one, became a matter of international concern for nearly three weeks after she posted a message on social media alleging …

Women's Tennis Association suspends tournaments in China over concern about Peng Shuai
3 years ago

Women's Tennis Association suspends tournaments in China over concern about Peng Shuai

NPR  

Women's Tennis Association suspends tournaments in China over concern about Peng Shuai Enlarge this image toggle caption Michael Owens/AP Michael Owens/AP The Women's Tennis Association is suspending all tournaments in China, including Hong Kong, WTA Chairman and CEO Steve Simon said in a statement released Wednesday. The decision from the WTA comes after Chinese tennis star Peng Shuai alleged that …

WTA suspends tournaments in China after ‘censorship’ of Peng Shuai’s sexual assault allegation
3 years ago

WTA suspends tournaments in China after ‘censorship’ of Peng Shuai’s sexual assault allegation

New York Times  

The WTA has suspended all tournaments in China, including Hong Kong, following the "censorship" of Chinese tennis star Peng Shuai's sexual assault allegation against a former government official, the association announced on Wednesday. "In good conscience, I don't see how I can ask our athletes to compete there when Peng Shuai is not allowed to communicate freely and has seemingly …

Women’s tennis suspends all China tournaments over Peng concerns
3 years ago

Women’s tennis suspends all China tournaments over Peng concerns

Al Jazeera  

The Women’s Tennis Association said it would suspend with immediate effect all of its tournaments in China, including Hong Kong. The Women’s Tennis Association will suspend all of its tournaments in China, saying it was doing so as the country’s leadership has failed to quell concerns that tennis star Peng Shuai is free and safe after she publicly accused a …

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