What Happened to Peng Shuai?
Peng Shuai, 35, is a world class, number-one ranking doubles tennis player from Xiangtan, China, as well one of the country’s most successful and popular players. Peng Shuai confessed her traumatic past on her social media, revealing that she had been sexually assaulted by former Vice Premier Zhang Gaoli, before ultimately being forced to remain his mistress in secret. Her statement marks the highest sexual misconduct allegation in the Chinese Communist Party’s history.
While disappearances in China are a common occurrence among those who speak out against the communist regime, Peng Shuai'‘s international status has flagged concern from many officials around the world. Her disappearance began after a twitter post, which was later removed, sparking a public inquiry to her current whereabouts.
Peng Shuai’s Controversial Tweet
What was in Peng Shuai’s controversial Tweet, that was taken down? An insight Pang Shuai’s and Chinese Communist Party member Zhang Gaoli’s past encounters.
“I know it’s not clear, and it’s useless to say anything about it. But I still want to say it. I know I’m a hypocrite, I admit that I’m not a good girl. I’m a very bad girl. About three years ago, Vice Premier Zhang Gaoli, you retired. You contacted Dr. Liu from the Tianjin Tennis Center and asked me to play tennis at the Kangming Building in Beijing. After playing in the morninn, you and your wife Kang Jie took me to your house. Then you took me into your room, and just like when we were in Tianjin more than ten years ago, you wanted to have sex with me. I was very scared that afternoon. I didn’t expect it to be like this, with someone standing outside the door guarding. I couldn’t believe that your wife was ok with this. We had sex seven years ago, and then you were promoted to the Sanding Committee, went to Beijing, and never connected me again. I originally buried everything in my heart. Since you were not going to take responsibility for our relationship, why did you come back to, take me to your house and force me to have sex with you? I have no evidence, and it was impossible for any evidence to be left at all. Later, though you kept denying it, it was you who like me first, otherwise I would’ve never been able to even contact you.”
“That afternoon, after I refused you, I just couldn’t stop crying. I ate dinner with you and your wife. You said that the universe is very big and the earth is just a grain of sand in the universe. We humans are even big enough to be a grain a sand. You said many, many things, just to make me let go of my mental burden. After dinner, I still didn’t want to do it, so you said you hated me! You also said that you’d never forgotten about me in the past seven years and that would treat me well, ect. I was afraid, Iw as panicking, but I was also carrying all the feeling I had for you during those 7 years. So I agreed. Yes, we had sex.”
“Feelings are a very complicated thing, and it’s hard to explain them clearly. From that day on, I reopened my love for you again. Later, in the days I spent with you, I discovered that you are a very good person, and you also treated me quite well. Our conversation ranged from modern history to ancient history. You talked to me about your knowledge of the world, and we talked about economic philosophy and other endless topics. We played chess, sang songs, played table tennis, billiards, and of course tennis, which we could always play happily together. Our personalities were so compatible, as if everything matched. As someone who left home when I was still a child, I have this extreme lack of love in my heart. In the face of all this, I never thought I was a good girl. I hated myself, hated why I should come to this world and experience this disaster. You told me that you loved me, loved me very much, and that you hoped that in the next life we would meet as a 20 and 18 year old. You said that you were very lonely and that you were very pitiful. We had days where we couldn’t stop talking with each other, on topics which had no end. You said that you couldn’t get divorced due to your current position. If we had met while you were still in Shandong, you could’ve still got a divorce, but now there was no way. I thought about being hidden and staying with you like this. It was fine at first, but slowly things changed over time, and the injustice and insults grew. Every time you went away, your wife would say all these ugly and insulting things to me being your back, her words dripping in mockery and sarcasm. When I said I like to eat duck tongue, you ice would tell me ~ Eh, it’s disgusting. In winter, due to the smog in Beijing, I said sometimes the air is not so good. Your wife would tell me that they air was only bad in my suburb, and that she didn’t feel it. She said a lot of things like that. When you were around, she didn’t say anything like that, acting as if she was one of us. I told you that you wife’s words made me feel very uncomfortable.”
‘From the first day I met you until now, I haven’t used a cent of your money, and I haven’t used you to get any personal benefit for myself. But reputation is really important. I deserve it, and I take humiliation for myself. From beginning to end, you made me keep our relationship a secret. I couldn’t even tell my own mother about us, even thought it was my mother who sent me to our agreed meeting speed, where I would switch cars and then go to your house. She always thought I was going to play mahjong or cards at your house. In each other's live, we were but a shadow of who we really were. Your wife acted like the empress from the TV show “Empress in the Palace”, and I can’t even describe how unbearable my situation was. Sometimes I wondered if I was still human. I felt like a zombie, pretending every day to be someone else. Which was the real me? I shouldn’t have come into this world, but I didn’t have the courage to die. I really wanted to live simpler, but life was not to be. On the night of the 30th, there was a lot of fighting. You said that we would go to your house in the afternoon on the 2nd and we would talk slowly. Today, you called at noon and said you were busy and you would contact me later, postponing things. Your excuse was you would contact me again the next day…And just like what happened seven years ago, you disappeared. You played with me, and when you didn’t want me anymore, you discarded me. You said there was nothing transactional about our relationship. Yes, our feelings had nothing to do with money and power, but I have nowhere to put down my feelings for you from the past three years, and it is difficult for me to face. You were always afraid that I would bring a sound recorded, leaving evidence or something. Other than myself, I have no evidence. There are no recordings, no videos, only my story. I know that for you, high-ranking Deputy Prime Minister Zhang Gaoli, you said that you are not afraid. But even if it’s like throwing eggs against a stone, and a moth darting around a flame to destroy itself, I will speak the truth about us. With your IQ, you will deny it or give it back to me. You can be as indifferent as you want. You always said that you hope your mother was looking out for you from heaven. I am a bad girl and I am not worthy of being a mother. You are a father with a daughter. If it was your own daughter, would you force her to do this? Will you face your mother with peace of mind after all the things you have done in this life? We are both sanctimonious…’
Zhang Gaoli
According to her post, Zhang Gaoli, Former Vice Premier of the People's Republic of China, apparently sexually assaulted world-class tennis player Peng Shuai. Now, as she had become his “mistress” she needed to finally break her silence to the world. This would be the highest accusations in China, accusing a top level official of high crime. Zhang Gaoli had a history of close relations with foreign leaders, include Former U.S. President Obama. Gaoli also has a history of sexual assault.
International Concerns
The Woman’s Tennis Association (WTA) is calling for complete transparency with Peng Shuai’s disappearance, as well as a full investigation into his allegations. The organization publicly demanded to end the suppression of her story, which was removed shortly after being published.
The WTA cited their expectations, stating “We expect this issue to be handled properly, meaning the allegations must be investigated fully, fairly, transparently and without censorship. Our absolute and unwavering priority is the health and safety of our players. We are speaking out so justice can be done.”
In addition, Serena Williams has reached out on social media citing her concerns over Twitter, stating,
“I am devastated and shocked to hear about the news of my peer, Peng Shuai. I hope she is safe and found as soon as possible. This must be investigated and we must not stay silent. Sending love to her and her family during this incredibly difficult time. #whereispengshuai”
Japanese tennis champion Naomi Osaka also expressed her concern stating,
“Hey everyone, not sure if you’ve been following the news but I was recently informed of a fellow tennis player that has gone missing shortly after revealing that she has been sexually abused. Censorship is never ok at any cost, I hope Peng Shuai and her family are safe and ok. I’m in shock of the current situation and I’m sending love and light her way. #whereispengshuai”
Peng Shuai’s Reappearance
Peng Shuai mysteriously reappeared on November 20th in a video call with Thomas Bach, International Olympic Committee President with Peng, who said she "is safe and well, living at her home in Beijing, but would like to have her privacy respected at this time," according to the IOC.
Steve Simon, Chairman and CEO of the Women's Tennis Association
"While it is positive to see her, it remains unclear if she is free and able to make decisions and take actions on her own, without coercion or external interference," Simon added, "This video alone is insufficient. As I have stated from the beginning, I remain concerned about Peng Shuai's health and safety and that the allegation of sexual assault is being censored and swept under the rug. I have been clear about what needs to happen and our relationship with China is at a crossroads."
Emma Terho, Chair of the International Olympic Committee Athletes' Commission
"I was relieved to see that Peng Shuai was doing fine, which was our main concern. She appeared to be relaxed. I offered her our support and to stay in touch at any time of her convenience, which she obviously appreciated,"
Dave Haggerty, President of the International Tennis Federation and an International Olympic Committee member, also released a statement Sunday stating the committee’s "primary concern is Peng Shuai's safety and her well-being." adding "The videos of her this weekend appear to be a positive step, but we will continue to seek direct engagement and confirmation from Peng Shuai herself that she is safe and well."
Conclusion
Peng Shuai’s disappearance foreshadows the potential future of America: speak out against the government, and disappear, coming soon to a nation near you. This can already be observed with Big Tech’s censorship, and the corporate suppression of resistance to the mainstream media narrative of the state. In many ways, authoritarianism has already begun in America, as an increasing demand for modernized socialism begins to pave the way for a domestic communist regime. As influential figures and U.S. government officials overlook Peng Shuai’s disappearance, it signals to the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) that their attempt to expand, and become a global superpower, will not be resisted from leaders throughout western society.