Talk:Peng Shuai/Trim2

=Draft= (continued from) ... but it was removed within 20 minutes of being uploaded, and related discussions became widely censored in China. Peng did not communicate on social media afterwards and was not reachable by the WTA. Chinese officials gave vague responses to inquiries, while the Chinese Tennis Association said Peng was safe. WTA chief executive Steve Simon called on Chinese authorities to investigate her allegations and stop censoring the subject, while multiple tennis personalities expressed their concerns: ATP chairman Andrea Gaudenzi, Novak Djokovic, Naomi Osaka, Serena Williams, Andy Murray, Billie Jean King, Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal.

=Discussion= Can the list of personalities be shortened? CurryCity (talk) 07:00, 1 May 2022 (UTC)

=Old version= Following her accusation, she did not communicate on social media. When asked about Peng's whereabouts on 3 November, foreign ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin said, "I have not heard of the issue you raised. This is not a diplomatic question". On 17 November, reporters put the question to another foreign ministry spokesperson, Zhao Lijian, who replied that the matter was not a diplomatic issue and suggested that the reporter contact the "relevant department". Hu Xijin, editor-in-chief of the CCP-owned tabloid Global Times tweeted, "As a person who is familiar with Chinese system, I don't believe Peng Shuai has received retaliation and repression speculated by foreign media for the thing people talked about". Commentators seized upon the "he who must not be named" wording in Hu's tweet, and noted that the Global Times has not covered the accusations against the former vice-premier at all.

On 14 November, WTA chief executive Steve Simon called on Chinese authorities to investigate Peng's allegations and to stop censoring the subject. The state-affiliated Chinese Tennis Association responded with a statement that Peng was safe and not under any physical threat. Simon said that no one associated with the WTA, including officials and active players, had been able to reach her directly to confirm her status. ATP chairman Andrea Gaudenzi also expressed concern about the uncertainty surrounding Peng's immediate safety and whereabouts. He offered full support for WTA's investigation into Peng's allegations and said that the ATP would continue to monitor the situation closely. On 12 November, the hashtag #WhereIsPengShuai was first used, and went on to trend globally. On 15 November, tennis player Novak Djokovic expressed his shock at Peng's disappearance in comments to reporters after winning his ATP Finals opener. On 16 November, tennis player Naomi Osaka posted a message on Twitter demanding answers about Peng's whereabouts and her sexual allegation. Tennis players Serena Williams, Andy Murray, and Billie Jean King expressed their concerns as well about Peng's alleged disappearance. Djokovic said the incident was "shocking" and Osaka said "Censorship is never OK at any cost." On 21 November, Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal voiced concern for Peng. On 15 November, Jon Wertheim of Sports Illustrated noted that the "2008 Beijing Games that were supposed to liberalize China made its regime only more brazen in rejecting liberal democracy and human rights" and called for the cancellation of all tournaments in China until the whereabouts of Peng had been ascertained. Wertheim suggested that "while the Tour has called for an investigation into the allegations made by former pro Peng Shuai, it also has a considerable opportunity in this crisis: to cut ties with a country so unaligned with its mission". Wertheim suggested that "leaving China also lets the WTA distinguish itself for principles. What a statement this would send—especially with a Winter Olympics months away. What a way to say, "Our athletes' safety and our moral principles—our belief in women's rights, human rights and democracy—matter more than our balance sheets."

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