UK Demands Beijing Provides Further Evidence Of Tennis Player Shuai's Safety
Zeeshan Mehtab Published November 22, 2021 | 10:33 PM
The United Kingdom is concerned for the safety of Chinese tennis star Peng Shuai, who temporarily disappeared after accusing a senior Chinese politician of sexual assault, and demands that Beijing allow her to speak out without fear of repercussions, the country's foreign ministry told RIA Novosti
MOSCOW (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 22nd November, 2021) The United Kingdom is concerned for the safety of Chinese tennis star Peng Shuai, who temporarily disappeared after accusing a senior Chinese politician of sexual assault, and demands that Beijing allow her to speak out without fear of repercussions, the country's foreign ministry told RIA Novosti.
"We are extremely concerned at the apparent disappearance of Peng Shuai, and are following the case closely. The Chinese authorities should urgently provide verifiable evidence of her safety and whereabouts. Everyone should be allowed to speak out without fear of repercussions. All reports of sexual assault, anywhere in the world, should be investigated," the ministry said.
Peng disappeared from public view after publishing on November 2 a statement on Weibo, China's Twitter-like social media platform, accusing the former Chinese vice-premier, 75-year-old Zhang Gaoli, of sexually assaulting her.
The post was immediately deleted, Peng's accounts were removed from the Chinese social networks and the athlete stopped communicating, raising concerns for her safety.
Several countries, including the United Kingdom and the United States, have demanded that Beijing provide verifiable evidence of Peng's safety and whereabouts. The global tennis community also joined the demands and called for a full and impartial investigation into the allegations of sexual assault against the former vice-premier.
On Sunday, the tennis star finally appeared in public for the first time in several weeks at the opening ceremony of a teenage tennis match final in Beijing. She later had a video call with Thomas Bach, President of the International Olympic Committee, confirming she was safe and well.
Related Topics
Recent Stories
HEC reviews curricula for environmental sciences degree programme
ICC Asia looking forward to an action-packed Asia Cricket Week
Yuvraj Singh named ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 Ambassador
Greece hands Olympic flame to 2024 Paris Games hosts
Two Kyiv hospitals evacuating over feared Russian strikes
World must act on neurotech revolution, say experts
Charles & Catherine's cancer diagnoses
Champions Alcaraz and Sabalenka through in Madrid Open
King Charles to resume some public duties during cancer treatment: palace
US defense chief announces $6 bn in security aid for Ukraine
Heavy rains cause damage to Spezand-Taftan railway track
Woman stabbed in Israel, attacker killed: police
More Stories From Sports
-
ICC Asia looking forward to an action-packed Asia Cricket Week
9 hours ago -
Yuvraj Singh named ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 Ambassador
9 hours ago -
Greece hands Olympic flame to 2024 Paris Games hosts
9 hours ago -
Champions Alcaraz and Sabalenka through in Madrid Open
9 hours ago -
Bagnaia hits back with record Jerez practice lap
9 hours ago -
Greece hands Olympic flame to 2024 Paris Games hosts
9 hours ago
-
Shahzaib Rind calls on Deputy Speaker Balochistan
11 hours ago -
Inter-university weightlifting championship kicks off at SAU
11 hours ago -
T20 World Cup 2024 Trophy unveiling ceremony held
11 hours ago -
Football: Italian Serie A table
12 hours ago -
Football: French Ligue 1 table
13 hours ago -
New Zealand cricket CEO visits PSCA, expresses satisfaction over security arrangements
13 hours ago