Chinese language tennis star Peng Shuai has denied alleging {that a} senior Communist Get together chief sexually assaulted her and insisted she resides freely, in her first media interview since her accusations triggered issues for her security. Nevertheless, the feedback didn’t ease worries on the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA), which mentioned Monday that it nonetheless had “important issues about her well-being and skill to speak with out censorship or coercion”. The previous Wimbledon and French Open doubles champion’s quickly-censored social media submit final month sparked worldwide concern, together with from the United Nations, the White Home and fellow tennis stars.
In feedback to Lianhe Zaobao, a Singaporean Chinese language-language newspaper, Peng denied making the allegation.
“I want to stress an important level: I’ve by no means mentioned nor written something accusing anybody of sexually assaulting me,” the 35-year-old mentioned in footage apparently filmed on a telephone at a sports activities occasion in Shanghai.
“I want to emphasise this level very clearly.”
In a submit on China’s Twitter-like Weibo platform, Peng had alleged that former vice-premier Zhang Gaoli — who’s in his 70s — coerced her into intercourse throughout an on-off relationship spanning a number of years.
The submit was rapidly scrubbed from the Chinese language net, however not earlier than screenshots had been posted on Twitter, setting off a world outcry.
Within the Zaobao video, when requested concerning the Weibo submit, Peng mentioned it was a “personal matter” that individuals had “many misunderstandings” about.
She didn’t elaborate.
Within the video, an individual is heard asking if she is ready to transfer round freely and if she has been beneath surveillance since making the accusations.
Peng responded that she has “all the time been very free”.
The WTA mentioned it was nonetheless not satisfied of Peng’s wellbeing.
“We stay steadfast in our name for a full, truthful and clear investigation, with out censorship, into her allegation of sexual assault,” the organisation mentioned in an announcement emailed to AFP.
The WTA has suspended all tournaments in China, together with Hong Kong, over issues about Peng.
‘My very own free will’
The newest video follows photos of Peng revealed by Chinese language state media, together with a few of her at a tennis match.
In addition they revealed a screenshot of an e mail Peng purportedly wrote to the Girls’s Tennis Affiliation saying “the whole lot is okay”.
However that did little to ease worries.
WTA chief Steve Simon mentioned on the time he had “a tough time believing” Peng’s e mail and questioned whether or not she was actually free to talk overtly.
Within the newest video, wearing a purple T-shirt and darkish down jacket, each with “China” emblazoned on them, Peng informed Zaobao that the e-mail was reputable and written “solely of my very own free will”.
Promoted
Within the shaky Zaobao footage, Peng seems to talk with Chinese language basketball star Yao Ming at a snowboarding occasion.
Hours earlier, unverified photos posted on-line by a Chinese language state-affiliated journalist confirmed Peng talking with Yao and two different Chinese language sports activities figures — Olympic crusing champion Xu Lijia and retired desk tennis participant Wang Liqin.
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