EU demands "verifiable evidence" from China on the whereabouts of tennis player Peng Shuai

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Peng Shuai's whereabouts are still unclear

Photo: FRANCIS MALASIG / EPA

In the case of tennis player Peng Shuai, who had disappeared for weeks, the European Union (EU) asked China to provide "verifiable evidence" of the tennis player's whereabouts and well-being.

"We insist on a complete and transparent investigation," said EU spokeswoman Nabila Massrali of the AFP news agency.

International concerns about Peng had recently increased.

The former world number one in doubles wrote earlier this month in the Twitter-like medium Weibo that she was sexually abused by former Chinese Vice Prime Minister Zhang Gaoli.

The entry was then deleted, after which there was initially no trace of Peng for more than two weeks.

Video clips should show Peng at current events

Last week, the state media published video clips that are supposed to show Peng at current events.

A state-owned Chinese media company had previously published a screenshot of an email from Peng stating that the tennis star's allegations were "not true" and that "everything was all right" with her.

IOC President Thomas Bach had a 30-minute video call with Peng on Sunday, but he was heavily criticized for this.

He and the IOC were accused of being instrumentalized by the Chinese leadership.

“We saw Peng Shuai's alleged statements and the footage from her public appearance.

However, the reports, both of the abuse allegations and the fact that she has not been seen for two weeks, remain very worrying, "said Massrali.

The United Nations and Great Britain had also requested evidence of Peng Shuai's well-being and whereabouts.

China had raised concerns about the tennis player as "malicious" on Tuesday.

jgh / sid