Beijing: China’s most direct response came on Tuesday, when it declared that “some persons” should halt the “malicious exaggeration and politicisation” of tennis player Peng Shuai’s situation, which has been taken up by other countries and organisations.
“I think some people should stop deliberately and maliciously hyping up, let alone politicise this issue,” said foreign ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian in response to a question on whether the case affected China’s international image.
Zhao was asked whether the case affected China’s international image.
“This is not a diplomatic matter. I believe everyone will have seen she has recently attended some public activities and also held a video call with IOC President Bach,” he said.
This happened after Peng, a three-time Olympian and two-time Grand Slam champion in doubles, went missing for more than two weeks after accusing a former vice premier of China Zhang Gaoli sexually abusing her three years ago in an online post. On Chinese social media, her message and discussion of it were swiftly blocked.
She made her first public appearance since making the charges against Zhang on November 2 at a tennis event in Beijing. On Sunday, she had a video conference with Thomas Bach, the head of the International Olympic Committee (IOC).
Human rights organisations and athletic organisations have expressed worry over Peng’s well-being and if authorities will act on her complaints. “This video does not change our call for a full, fair and transparent investigation, without censorship, into her allegation of sexual assault, which is the issue that gave rise to our initial concern,” the Women’s Tennis Association said.
According to Reuters, Amnesty International’s China researcher Alkan Akad said the video chat did little to alleviate concerns about Peng’s safety and that the IOC was entering “dangerous waters.”
