US demands ‘verifiable proof’ of tennis player Peng Shuai’s well-being after she disappears following claim of sexual abuse against Chinese ex-official

Biden administration is ‘deeply concerned’ about reports of Peng Shuai’s disappearance, says White House press secretary Jen Psaki

She called for ‘independent, verifiable proof’ of Shuai’s health, after claim purportedly made by the tennis pro that she was assaulted by ex-senior official

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China’s Peng Shuai at the Australian Open tennis championship in Melbourne, Australia in January 2020. Photo: AP

Published: 4:20am, 20 Nov 2021Updated: 4:50am, 20 Nov 2021

The United States on Friday joined growing calls for China to provide details about the well-being of tennis pro Peng Shuai, after she disappeared from the public eye following an accusation of sexual assault against a former senior Chinese official.

The administration of US President Joe Biden was “deeply concerned” about reports of Peng’s disappearance, White House press secretary Jen Psaki said in a news briefing.

“We join in the calls for PRC authorities to provide independent and verifiable proof of her whereabouts and that she is safe,” she said, referring to the People’s Republic of China.

The appeal marks the highest profile appeal to date for more information about Peng’s situation, coming atop similar calls from prominent athletes, sporting bodies, and human rights groups.

Earlier this month Peng, 35, wrote in an explosive social media post that a former senior Chinese government leader had pressured her into sex. The post was swiftly deleted, and any discussion of the case since has been met with blanket censorship.

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