Canadians join call for probe into missing Peng

Canada’s tennis community has joined the call for an independent investigation into the whereabouts and well-being of China’s Peng Shuai. Milos Raonic, Rebecca Marino and Vasek Pospisil tweeted about Peng on Friday, using the hashtag #WhereIsPengShuai.

The Canadians joined a chorus of tennis pros, including Serena Williams and Andy Murray, demanding to know what happened to Peng, who disappeared after accusing a former top Chinese official of sexually assaulting her.

“We’re making a united front in drawing attention to what’s going on with Peng Shuai,” Marino said. “We’re looking out for the safety and well-being of not just a tennis player, but an international person of interest.”

China’s Foreign Ministry said Friday it was unaware of the controversy. It has consistently disavowed knowledge of the issue since Peng first made the allegations in a lengthy social media post on Nov. 2.

She wrote that she was forced to have sex three years ago with Zhang Gaoli in his home despite repeated refusals. Zhang, 75, is a former vice premier and member of the ruling Communist Party’s all-powerful Politburo Standing Committee.

The post was quickly deleted from her verified account on Weibo, but screenshots of the explosive accusation were shared on the internet.

Steve Simon, WTA chair and CEO, has said the organization is willing to pull out of China if Peng’s wellbeing is not independently verified. He has also questioned the authenticity of an email allegedly sent to him by Peng saying that she is safe.