Details create speculation

Chinese tennis player Peng Shuai, 35, has not been seen for more than two weeks, and the case has involved the entire world.

On November 2, Ping posted a message on social media Weibo, accusing former Chinese Vice Premier Zhang Gaoli of sexual assault. The post also mentioned that the two were having an on-off affair, which Zhang tried to keep a secret.

Soon after the message was posted, it disappeared. This weekend she appeared in connection with a tennis tournament in Beijing. She was also photographed in a restaurant, and was told on a video call that she was fine and well at her home in Beijing.

However, there are many who are not convinced that all is well. And there was a lot of speculation on social media, after a Chinese reporter posted a series of photos of Peng Shuai on Twitter.

At first glance, it looks like ordinary photos, where Shuai is standing with several teddy bears and a cat – among other things. But when you look closely at one of the photos, you see Ole Brumm’s children’s book character.

What’s so weird about Ole Brumm, you ask? Prom has become a frequent target of Chinese censors after a spate of viral “memes”, which jokingly say the bear resembles Chinese President Xi Jinping.

In July 2017, Chinese authorities tightened censorship of the WeChat and Weibu (Twitter equivalent) websites. They simply made it impossible to post comments containing the name “Ole Brumm”, and all posts comparing Chairman Jinping to Brumm were deleted.

In 2018, Christopher Robin was not shown in Chinese cinemas, and the censorship was expected due to the comparison with the President of China. China has never given a public explanation.

Interactions

Ole Brumm’s character is not banned in China, but the background image is enough for more people to interact on social media.

Some speculate that the background image was a deliberate choice for Shuai, to focus on the President.

Others think it may be a hidden message – and Chinese critic Leta Hongfincher thinks the photo is an “emergency signal”.

Others scoff at these conspiracy theories and think they are coincidence, and that critics of China exaggerate when they think there is something else to it.

However, the discussion is a testament to how mysterious and still the whole thing is.

The anxiety and concern surrounding Peng Shuai’s case shows us how little we know her situation — and how little we know hers, says Dr. Yunfantong. ABC.

That’s why Chinese President Uli Prom banned it

requires proof

The European Union is now asking China to provide credible evidence that Peng Shuai is doing well.

– We have seen Peng Shuai’s alleged statements and recordings from her public appearances. But spokeswoman Nabila Al-Masrali told AFP that the accusations of abuse, and that she had not been seen for two weeks, were still very worrying.

For its part, China believes that the matter has escalated.

– I think some people should stop the deliberate and malicious “hype”, not least the politicization of the matter, said Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian.

Questions asked

Steve Simon, President of the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) CNN They are ready to cancel all Chinese championships if Shuai’s allegations are not investigated.

– We are ready to stop our business and deal with all the complications that come with it. This is more than money. Simon told CNN that women should be respected and not monitored.

For the 2021 season, 11 tournaments are planned on the WTA Tour of China. The season finale was also scheduled to be played in China, but everything was canceled due to the Corona pandemic. The final match of the season is scheduled to be held in China in 2022.

Last week, Chinese state media published a press release claiming that Shuai had sent a sedative E-mail for Simon. The email should say it hasn’t been missed and it’s fine.

Simon is said to have questioned whether or not this email was authentic. He is said to have called it a “progressive statement of some sort”, as he did not receive any answer after replying to it shortly thereafter.

– Whether she was forced to write it or someone wrote it to her, we don’t know. But at this point, Simon said, I don’t think there’s any validity in that, and we won’t be comfortable until we talk to her.

Several tennis stars signed up as well, and the hashtag #whereispengshuai went viral on social media.