China calls for end to ‘malicious hyping’ of Peng Shuai controversy

Foreign ministry says the tennis star’s well-being is not a diplomatic matter and should not be politicised

His remarks follow a video meeting between Peng and the head of the International Olympic Committee which failed to reassure some critics

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Tennis star Peng Shuai should not be politicised, China’s foreign ministry says. Photo: AFP

Published: 9:30pm, 23 Nov 2021

The Chinese foreign ministry said people should not be “maliciously hyping up” the controversy surrounding tennis player Peng Shuai, as questions over her well-being continue.

The remarks by ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian came one day after Peng gave assurances about her safety in a video meeting with the International Olympic Committee President Thomas Bach on Sunday.

“This is not a diplomatic matter,” Zhao said when asked about Peng during a regular press conference on Tuesday.

“I believe everyone will have seen she has recently attended some public activities and also held a video call with IOC president Bach. I hope certain people will cease malicious hyping, let alone politicisation.”

The IOC video marks the first direct contact three-time Olympian Peng has had with an international sports organisation since her disappearance from the public eye nearly three weeks ago, after a post on her Weibo social media account on November 2 accused a retired, high-level government official of coercing her into sex.

Peng thanked the IOC for its concern about her well-being and said she was “safe and well” and living at her home in Beijing, but that she would like to have her privacy respected at this time, according to an IOC statement about the call.