With world pressure mounting on Beijing to come clean on the disappearance of tennis star Peng Shuai, Chinese state media has posted a video purporting to show her as being well and happy.
Hu Xijin, the editor of the Global Times newspaper, posted a video with the comment in English clearly aimed at the global audience who want China to present proof that Peng is safe and well.
“I acquired two video clips, which show Peng Shuai was having dinner with her coach and friends in a restaurant. The video content clearly shows they are shot on Saturday Beijing time,” Hu posted on Twitter along with the videos.
According to an AFP report, the conversation at the table revolved around "tennis matches" and a man sitting with Peng and two other women says, "Tomorrow is November 20th."
But one of the women quickly interrupts him to say, "It is the 21st" or Sunday.
Also read: USA and UN ask China to come clean on missing tennis star Peng Shuai
The conversation appears to be staged. It was filmed in the evening hours with a mobile phone. Peng seems to be relaxed in the footage.
I acquired two video clips, which show Peng Shuai was having dinner with her coach and friends in a restaurant. The video content clearly shows they are shot on Saturday Beijing time. pic.twitter.com/HxuwB5TfBk
— Hu Xijin 胡锡进 (@HuXijin_GT) November 20, 2021
In the other video posted on Twitter by Hu Xijin, the tennis star appears to be walking into a restaurant wearing a coat, knit cap and face mask.
Peng, a winner of the of Wimbledon and French open titles has suddenly disappeared ever since she accused a former Chinese Vice Premier of sexually assaulting her.
The United States and United Nations have demanded verifiable proof from Beijing about Peng’s well-being and whereabouts.
The United Nations Human Rights Office has asked for a fully transparent investigation into the accusation made by Peng, 35, that Communist Party leader Zhang Gaoli, 75, had forced her to have sex with him.
