Why Grace Meng’s claims of injustice won’t spark a Peng Shuai-style outcry

The wife of ex-Interpol chief Meng Hongwei described the Chinese government as a ‘monster’ for her husband’s detention and bribery conviction
But her claims that he was punished for his reformist zeal ring hollow, especially since there’s no evidence to substantiate them

Maria Siow

Published: 10:30am, 26 Nov 2021

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Much has been said in recent weeks about the plight of Chinese tennis star Peng Shuai, who disappeared from public view after accusing a high ranking government official of sexual assault.

But amid the global outcry over her safety and whereabouts, scant attention has been given to another woman surfacing claims of injustice against Chinese authorities.

Grace Meng, the wife of former Interpol chief Meng Hongwei, was thrust into the limelight following an exclusive interview last week with American news agency, the Associated Press, in which she described the Chinese government as a “monster” and claimed that her husband’s bribery conviction was “a lie”.

Meng – also a former vice-minister of public security in China – was sentenced in January last year to 13 years and six months in prison for accepting more than US$2 million in bribes.

IOC President Thomas Bach talks to Chinese tennis player Peng Shuai via video link on Sunday. Photo: IOC Handout via Reuters

Grace Meng said she had not been in contact with her husband and did not even know if he was still alive, lamenting that her twin boys would grow up fatherless. She said she was under round-the-clock protection from the French police following what she claimed were attempts by Chinese agents to kidnap her.

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In most cases, people describing such situations after their family members have been detained by the Chinese state would often garner some attention and sympathy from international observers. Activists such as Chen Guangcheng have received diplomatic help, while wives of detained Chinese dissidents – and the human rights lawyers campaigning on their behalf despite intimidation and harassment – have usually been able to obtain some form of international support in the past.

But Meng Hongwei was a senior figure who oversaw China’s public security apparatus, which has been accused by Western countries and rights groups of rights violations including against ethnic Uygurs in Xinjiang province.

He and his wife used to be members of the country’s privileged class. Her claims now that he was being punished for trying to push for reform ring hollow, especially as no evidence to substantiate them has been produced.

Grace Meng holds a picture showing her parents and husband Meng Hongwei, back left, during her interview with the Associated Press in France. Photo: AP

Some may agree with Meng that her husband was purged from the Communist Party, but her calls for reformers to “bravely stand up” and take inspiration from the protest movement in Hong Kong are self-serving beyond belief.

It’s clear to most observers that political insiders in any society would rarely upset the apple cart, unless it is in their own interests. Some would even go as far to say that the Mengs received their just deserts.

Unlike the Mengs, Peng is an ordinary citizen, albeit one of the most famous and wealthiest female tennis players in the world. Her accusations of sexual assault have clearly resonated in the post #MeToo era.

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Prominent athletes, sporting bodies and rights groups have issued messages of support, with even the White House and United Nations’ human rights office joining the global outcry.

Peng, who made her accusations more than two weeks ago, reappeared in public at a youth tennis event this week and has assured International Olympic Committee President Thomas Bach via video call that she is safe and well. Still, there are questions if she made these assurances under duress.

Earlier this week, the Women’s Tennis Association said it was willing to lose millions of dollars in Chinese business if Peng’s safety was not accounted for, with senior IOC member Dick Pound saying the situation could force the global sporting body to confront China over its human rights record.

For Grace Meng though, it’s unlikely that anyone would follow up as actively on her situation as they have with Peng’s. It might not be the last we hear of her but don’t expect anyone to risk sticking their necks out for the Meng family.