Peng Shuai Disappearance: China Slammed After New Video Of Tennis Star Is Released

A new video of Chinese tennis star Peng Shuai was shared online amid reports of her missing following sexual assault allegations, but people are still suspicious.

As the Communist Party of China tried to quell fears across the globe about the tennis star, she appeared in public Sunday at a youth tournament in Beijing, China. The China Open posted photos from the event on the Weibo social media service, but made no mention of her disappearance or her sexual assault allegations against former Chinese vice premier Zhang Gaoli, reported ESPN. In the photos, Shuai is seen standing beside a court, signing commemorative tennis balls for kids and waving at people.

Another video was posted Saturday that appears to show her enjoying a meal at a restaurant. But not all are convinced she is doing fine. One tweeted that anything released by the state media is suspicious. Another said that this cannot be accepted as proof of her being safe and that people know that the Chinese government rules the media. The Twitter user suggested her to make a live video in public to ensure that she is "safe and in a good place."

After the restaurant video was released, Steve Simon, chairman and CEO of the Women's Tennis Association (WTA), issued a statement and questioned her freedom. He said that while it is positive to see Shuai, it is still not clear if she is "free and able to make decisions and take actions on her own," without being coerced. According to him, the video alone was not sufficient, and said that he was still concerned about her health and safety and that the allegation of sexual assault is being "censored and swept under the rug."

Simon also mentioned that he has been clear about what needs to happen and their "relationship with China is at a crossroads." In fact he has threatened to pull all games out of China.

According to the International Olympic Committee (IOC), a video call with her and IOC president Thomas Bach was held Sunday where she said that she "is safe and well, living at her home in Beijing, but would like to have her privacy respected at this time." Emma Terho, the chair of the International Olympic Committee Athletes' Commission, said Sunday, that she was relieved to see that Shuai was doing fine, and she appeared to be relaxed.

The International Tennis Federation's (ITF) "primary concern is Peng Shuai's safety and her well-being," said Dave Haggerty, ITF president and International Olympic Committee member.

Haggerty said that the new videos appear to be a positive step, but they will continue to seek "direct engagement and confirmation" from her that she is well and safe.

Prior to the appearances, an announcement was made by the editor of a party newspaper Saturday that she would "show up in public" soon.