Peng Shuai is being questioned about her safety. Chinese state media released a third video claiming that it showed her playing in a tournament of tennis.
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Concerns mount over Chinese tennis star Peng Shuai
Chinese state media claim that Peng Shuai, the tennis star in Beijing, was seen at a Beijing tennis tournament. A video was released on Sunday morning.
Concerns have continued to grow for Shuai’s whereabouts and welfare following her disappearance last week, after allegedly accusing a senior Chinese politician of sexual assault on social media site Weibo.
The post was quickly removed from the popular Chinese website, as was all of Shuai’s recent Weibo activity and she has not been seen in person since.
Hu Xijin is the Editor-in Chief of Chinese Hu Xijin. Global Times posted a Twitter video claiming that it showed the missing tennis player from a Beijing tournament.
Along with the video, Xijin tweeted this caption: “Peng Shuai showed up at the opening ceremony of a teenager tennis match final in Beijing on Sunday morning. Global Times photo reporter Cui Meng captured her at scene.”
The video shows tournament officials standing up and waving at a cheering crowd, which includes a woman who Xijin claims is the missing Shuai.
This is not the first time the Global Times Editor-in-chief has uploaded a video to his Twitter page to reassure the tennis world of Shuai’s welfare, after he posted two clips of the 2013 Wimbledon doubles champion allegedly having dinner in Beijing on Saturday.
Xijin shared an earlier tweet in which he showed a video of the 35 year-old eating with her team and smiling, then he posted another one showing her allegedly leaving the restaurant.
He again captioned the videos, but this time he was tweeting: “I acquired two video clips, which show Peng Shuai was having dinner with her coach and friends in a restaurant.
“The video content clearly shows they are shot on Saturday Beijing time.”
Despite the video claiming to show Shuai is safe and well, the Editor-in-chief’s uploads have only raised concerns of many, including WTA chairman Steve Simon.
Simon stated in a statement, “While he is not currently employed by the company, ‘glad’See the videos of the former Wimbledon champion. However, he feels that this alone is insufficient evidence to prove that she is. ‘free and able to make decisions.’
He said: “I am glad to see the videos released by China state-run media that appear to show Peng Shuai at a restaurant in Beijing.
While it is encouraging to see her, it is unclear if her ability to make decisions and act on her own without being coerced or hampered by external interference. This video is insufficient.
“As I have stated from the beginning, I remain concerned about Peng Shuai’s health and safety and that the allegation of sexual assault is being censored and swept under the rug.
“I have been clear about what needs to happen and our relationship with China is at a crossroads.”
