“I obtained two video clips, showing Peng Shuai having dinner with her coach and friends in a restaurant,” wrote Hu Xijin, editor of China’s state-run Global Times newspaper. “The video content clearly shows that they were shot on Saturday Beijing time.”
CNN was unable to independently verify the two video clips or when they were captured.
China is facing pressure from the United Nations over Peng’s whereabouts as it calls for an investigation into her alleged sexual assault.
The White House also said on Friday that it was “deeply concerned” about Peng’s safety.
Peng, one of China’s most famous sports stars, has accused former Vice Premier Zhang Gaoli of forcing her to have sex at his home, according to a screenshot of a social media post. deleted on 11/2.
Peng’s post on Weibo, China’s Twitter-like platform, was deleted within 30 minutes of publication, with Chinese censors quickly working to remove any mention of the allegation online. Her Weibo account, which has more than half a million followers, remains blocked from searchers on the platform.
The head of the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) Steve Simon has said he is prepared to lose hundreds of millions of dollars in business in China if Peng is not fully accounted for and her allegations are not properly investigated.
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