"Peng Shuai Dines with Coach at Restaurant" ... Recent Status Claimed by Editor-in-Chief of Chinese State Media Amid 'Disappearance' Rumors

A video was released claiming to have captured Peng Shuai's recent status.
[Photo by Hu Xijin, editor of China Global Times, captured from social networking service (SNS)]

[Asia Economy Reporter Seoyoung Kwon] A video has surfaced claiming to show Chinese tennis star Peng Shuai (36), who disappeared after accusing a former Chinese vice premier of sexual assault, spotted at a restaurant in Beijing.

Peng Shuai is a Chinese tennis player who won the women's doubles titles at Wimbledon in 2013 and the French Open in 2014, and reached the world No. 1 ranking in doubles in 2014. Earlier this month, she revealed on her social media that she had been sexually assaulted by former Vice Premier Zhang Gaoli, alleging that the assault continued until 2018. Following this, some media outlets and the tennis community raised concerns about her disappearance, stating they had lost contact with her.

However, on the 20th (local time), Hu Xijin, editor-in-chief of the Chinese state media Global Times, posted on his social media that he had obtained two videos showing Peng Shuai having dinner with her coach and friends at a restaurant. He explained that the videos indicated they were filmed on Saturday (the 20th) Beijing time.

In the approximately one-minute video posted by Hu, a man asks, "Is tomorrow November 20th?" and a person next to a woman presumed to be Peng Shuai corrects him, saying, "Tomorrow is the 21st." Another 15-second video posted by Hu captures Peng Shuai seemingly entering somewhere.

Earlier that day, Hu had also stated on social media that "Peng Shuai has been freely staying at home for the past few days and did not want to be disturbed." He added, "She will appear in public and participate in some activities soon," updating on Peng Shuai's current status.

Hu also shared three photos on his social media posted by a CGTN journalist, claiming they showed recent images of Peng Shuai. Released on the 19th, the photos depict Peng Shuai holding a cat or a doll in what appears to be someone's room. The CGTN journalist mentioned, "A friend of Peng Shuai sent me the photos."

However, due to the unclear timing of when the photos were taken, some have questioned their authenticity. Steve Simon, CEO of the Women's Tennis Association (WTA), warned in an interview with CNN that if no action is taken regarding Peng Shuai's disappearance, the WTA would withdraw all business related to China.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.