Missing Peng Shuai from China video calls IOC President... "I'm safe and well" (Summary)

"Invitation to Dinner in Beijing Next January"
Following the US, the UK Also Discusses Boycotting the Beijing Winter Olympics

On the 21st (local time), Thomas Bach, President of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) (left), and Chinese tennis star Peng Shuai (right) made a direct video call, as shown in the photo released by the IOC. [Image source=IOC website]

[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunwoo Lee] Peng Shuai, the world-renowned Chinese tennis star who was recently rumored to be missing, officially appeared after 19 days through a video call with the International Olympic Committee (IOC) President. With her safety confirmed, the disappearance controversy raised by the United States and the international community is expected to be settled for now. However, as the sexual assault allegations involving a former high-ranking Chinese Communist Party official and broader human rights issues in China have come to light, the boycott debate over the Beijing Winter Olympics scheduled for February next year is expected to intensify.

On the 21st (local time), the IOC issued a statement announcing that IOC President Thomas Bach had a 30-minute video call with Peng Shuai that day. According to the statement, Peng Shuai said, "I am currently safe and well at my home in Beijing and wish to have my privacy respected," emphasizing, "I want to spend time with friends and family now, and I will continue playing tennis in the future."

Emma Terho, an IOC athlete representative who was present during the call, said at a press conference, "I am relieved to confirm that Peng Shuai is doing well. She appeared relaxed," adding, "She told me that she can be contacted anytime when she feels comfortable." According to the IOC, at the end of the video call, President Bach invited Peng Shuai to dinner after he arrives in Beijing in January next year, and Peng Shuai reportedly accepted the invitation.

Peng Shuai is a world-class tennis player who once held the No. 1 doubles ranking on the Women's Tennis Association (WTA) Tour in 2014. Earlier, on the 2nd, Peng Shuai posted a message on Weibo alleging that former Chinese Vice Premier Zhang Gaoli sexually assaulted her, after which her whereabouts became unknown, sparking disappearance rumors.

Over the following 19 days, the WTA, tennis stars, and the international community demanded disclosure of her whereabouts. The Chinese government and state-run media released photos, emails, and videos to confirm her well-being, but these failed to gain trust internationally. WTA Chairman Steve Simon also raised doubts in an interview with CNN on the 18th, stating that the evidence presented by Chinese state media "could be fake," fueling further controversy.

Although the video call with the IOC President has put the disappearance rumors to rest for now, the boycott debate over the Beijing Winter Olympics is expected to escalate. The British newspaper The Times reported the previous day that the UK government discussed a diplomatic boycott of the Beijing Winter Olympics, and UK Foreign Secretary Liz Truss is also reported to support the boycott.

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