Chinese tennis star Peng Shuai tells newspaper she never accused anyone of sexual assault. People are skeptical.

Chinese tennis champion Peng Shuai wrote a 1,600-word post on social media in early November, accusing a former high-ranking Chinese official of forcing her to have sex with him. China's censors quickly scrubbed the post from China's internet, and Peng disappeared from view for weeks, sparking concerns for her safety. On Monday, Chinese-language Singaporean newspaper Lianhe Zaobao posted a video from Beijing in which Peng says there was "a lot of misunderstandings" about the post.
"I have never said or written that anyone sexually assaulted me," Peng told Lianhe Zaobao, evidently on the sidelines of a Beijing Winter Olympics promotional event Sunday. "This point must be emphasized very clearly." She also said she personally wrote the Chinese version of an email to the Women's Tennis Association retracting her accusation against former Vice Premier Zhang Gaoli and assuring the WTA that everything is fine. Peng said the English translation is accurate and claimed she is not under surveillance.
The WTA said it welcomed Peng's appearance "in a public setting," but the video does not "alleviate or address" their "concerns about her wellbeing and ability to communicate without censorship or coercion." The WTA also reiterated its "call for a full, fair and transparent investigation" into Peng's "allegation of sexual assault, which is the issue that gave rise to our initial concern."
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
The WTA has suspended all events in China until it is convinced that Peng is safe and her accusation investigated, but the International Olympic Committee says it is convinced from two video chats with Peng that she is doing fine. "Zhang, 75, was a member of the party's all-powerful Politburo Standing Committee until 2018 and a top lieutenant to president and party leader Xi Jinping," The Associated Press reports. "He has not appeared in public or commented on Peng's accusation."
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Peter has worked as a news and culture writer and editor at The Week since the site's launch in 2008. He covers politics, world affairs, religion and cultural currents. His journalism career began as a copy editor at a financial newswire and has included editorial positions at The New York Times Magazine, Facts on File, and Oregon State University.
-
What does 'conquering' Gaza mean to Israel?
Today's Big Question Benjamin Netanyahu's cabinet has approved a plan to displace much of the Palestinian population while seizing and occupying the territory on a long-term basis.
-
Casey Means: the controversial 'wellness influencer' nominated for surgeon general
In the Spotlight Means has drawn controversy for her closeness to RFK Jr.
-
Trump taps Fox News' Pirro for DC attorney post
speed read The president has named Fox News host Jeanine Pirro to be the top federal prosecutor for Washington, replacing acting US Attorney Ed Martin
-
Zhao Xintong: China's controversial snooker champion
In the Spotlight The 28-year-old was implicated in the sport's biggest match-fixing scandal before coming back from suspension to take the world title
-
China's football crisis: what's happened to Xi's XI?
In The Spotlight String of defeats and finishing bottom of World Cup qualifying group comes a decade after Xi Jinping launched a football crusade
-
Canada beats US in charged 4 Nations hockey final
Speed Read 'You can't take our country — and you can't take our game,' Prime Minister Justin Trudeau posted after the game
-
Eagles trounce Chiefs in Super Bowl LIX
speed read The Philadelphia Eagles beat the Kansas City Chiefs 40-22
-
Indian teen is youngest world chess champion
Speed Read Gukesh Dommaraju, 18, unseated China's Ding Liren
-
Europe roiled by attacks on Israeli soccer fans
Speed Read Israeli fans supporting the Maccabi Tel Aviv team clashed with pro-Palestinian protesters in 'antisemitic attacks,' Dutch authorities said
-
New York wins WNBA title, nearly nabs World Series
Speed Read The Yankees with face the Los Angeles Dodgers in the upcoming Fall Classic
-
Paralympics: can Team USA turn things around for Los Angeles 2028?
Today's Big Question Beijing and London offer model for how hosting can lead to medal success as China maintains dominance