The video statements were made to Singaporean media outlet Lianhe Zaobao.
The tennis player was in Shanghai for an event with other Chinese sports stars such as former basketball player Yao Ming.
In a November statement, Peng revealed that she had an affair for years with former Deputy Prime Minister Zhang Gaoli, whom she once accused of sexual assault.
Discussions about Peng and Zhang’s relationship were quickly censored on Chinese social media, and the original post (which said, “I didn’t consent that night and cried all the time”) was deleted.
In the video now released, Peng looks puzzled when a reporter asks her if she was at home in Beijing “free” and unattended, and says, “Why would someone follow me? I was free at home. “
The tennis player also confirmed the authorship of a letter she wrote to WTA President Steve Simon: “I wrote a Chinese version, and since my English is not very good, CGTN has published a translated version with the same meaning as the original,” he said.
In the letter, Peng said she “slept well” and denied allegations of sexual assault, which heightened concerns about the Chinese player, whose images and videos were once again circulated through the media and journalists close to the government. days.
In addition, Peng had a video call with Thomas Bach, President of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), in which he announced that he was fine and that he was in Beijing, once again insisting on respect for his privacy.
On December 1, the WTA decided to suspend tournaments in China due to censorship and uncertainty surrounding the case.
