This article contains references to sexual assault.
The Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) has cast doubt over a statement released by Chinese state media on Thursday that purports to be written by missing female tennis star Peng Shuai.
CGTN, a state-affiliated media organisation, posted a screenshot on Twitter of an email it claimed Peng had sent to Steve Simon, chief executive of the WTA.
The statement, which claims Peng has been "resting at home" raised red flags as a cursor was captured in the screenshot of the email.
Peng has not been seen since she posted allegations of sexual assault against a politician on the Chinese social media platform Weibo.
Mr Simon said the statement released by Chinese state media served only to raise his “concerns as to her safety and whereabouts".
“I have a hard time believing that Peng Shuai actually wrote the email we received or believes what is being attributed to her,” he wrote in a statement.
Mr Simon said he had repeatedly tried to reach Peng via numerous forms of communication but had not heard from her.
China's Peng Shuai says she was coerced her into sex by a senior Chinese government official. Source: AAP
“The WTA and the rest of the world need independent and verifiable proof that she is safe,” he said.
Earlier this month Peng claimed former vice premier of China Zhang Gaoli had allegedly forced her to have sex after she visited his home to play tennis.
“I know that someone of your eminence, vice premier Zhang Gaoli, you’ll say that you’re not afraid,” Peng posted.
“That afternoon I didn't give my consent and couldn’t stop crying. You brought me to your house and forced me and you to have relations.”
The post was deleted around half-an-hour after it was published on a social media platform that is tightly controlled by the Chinese government.
Mr Simon said the tennis star had shown “incredible courage” in describing an allegation of sexual assault against a former top official in the Chinese government.
“Peng Shuai must be allowed to speak freely, without coercion or intimidation from any source. Her allegation of sexual assault must be respected, investigated with full transparency and without censorship,” he said.
“The voices of women need to be heard and respected, not censored nor dictated to.”
If you or someone you know is impacted by sexual assault, call 1800RESPECT on 1800 737 732 or visit . In an emergency, call 000.
