"Peng Shuai MeToo Accuser Involved in Beijing Olympics Preparation"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Cho Hyun-ui] Reports have emerged that former Chinese Vice Premier Zhang Gaoli, accused by Chinese tennis star Peng Shuai of sexual assault, was deeply involved in the bid and preparation for the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics.

The Wall Street Journal (WSJ) reported on the 24th (local time) that a video call between Thomas Bach, President of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), and Peng Shuai has brought renewed attention to former Vice Premier Zhang, who is under suspicion of sexual assault.

After Peng Shuai's sexual assault allegations led to rumors of her disappearance, the IOC announced on the 22nd that President Bach had a video call with Peng Shuai to confirm her safety. However, questions arose about why the IOC intervened, and when a photo of Bach with former Vice Premier Zhang from 2016 was released, some speculated that Chinese authorities might have influenced the IOC-Peng Shuai video call.

WSJ stated, "Although former Vice Premier Zhang is now a retired member of the Communist Party, during his tenure he was a powerful and skilled technocrat who pushed forward China's top priorities," adding, "Among these was the bid for the 2022 Winter Olympics."

Based on IOC documents, WSJ explained that former Vice Premier Zhang led the operations group responsible for supporting and overseeing the selection of the 2022 Olympic host city. This group included heads of all relevant departments, and Zhang's role involved liaising with top IOC officials, including President Bach.

WSJ further noted that until handing over the position to his successor in 2018, Zhang issued directives across all sectors for Olympic preparations, from stadium construction to transportation.

While former Vice Premier Zhang initially received little attention when Peng Shuai's disappearance rumors surfaced, the situation changed as a photo of him shaking hands with President Bach in Beijing in 2016 began circulating on social media.

Quoting Xinhua News Agency, the report said that former Vice Premier Zhang met President Bach at the Communist Party's secret leadership building and stated, "The Chinese government attaches great importance to the preparation for the 2022 Winter Olympics."

In response, the IOC said, "IOC representatives regularly meet with counterparts such as government officials, corporate leaders, and representatives of international organizations. This is common sense," and did not assign special significance to the meeting between former Vice Premier Zhang and President Bach.

However, WSJ explained that leading the Winter Olympics operations committee was only part of former Vice Premier Zhang's responsibilities, which also included greeting foreign officials and assisting in the formulation of financial and industrial policies.

It added that Zhang was one of the seven most powerful members of the Communist Party's Politburo Standing Committee from 2012 to 2017, and prior to that, he served as the Communist Party Secretary of Tianjin.

Meanwhile, former Vice Premier Zhang has not appeared in public (based on media reports) for nearly five months since attending the Communist Party's 100th anniversary event held at Tiananmen Square in Beijing on July 1st.

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