Peng Shuai finally appeared in public. Why doesn’t the world believe that she’s really safe?

As of Friday night, a steady stream of photos and videos The purpose of showing a smiling Peng telling about her life in Beijing appeared on Twitter – all of which were posted by individuals working for the Chinese government-controlled media and system. state sports, on a platform blocked in China.

The propaganda push was apparently followed on Sunday by a video call between Peng and International Olympic Committee (IOC) president Thomas Bach, in which the three-time Olympic champion insisted she was “safe and healthy, living at her home in Beijing” and “wants a Her privacy is respected,” according to a statement from the IOC.

The explosion of “living proof” videos comes in a firestorm that has sparked global concern for Peng, who has disappeared from the public eye for more than two weeks after taking it to social media. accuses former Deputy Prime Minister Zhang Gaoli of forcing her to have sex at his own home – an explosive and politically sensitive allegation that triggered livestock censorship in China.

A spokeswoman for the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) told CNN: “It’s good to see Peng Shuai in recent videos, but they don’t alleviate or address the WTA’s concerns about the state of health and her ability to communicate without censorship or coercion.” in a statement, following Peng’s call with the IOC.

Human rights advocates who have long watched Beijing’s silent campaigns are also not convinced.

“What we have here is essentially a state-controlled narrative: there is only the government and the means,” said Maya Wang, senior China researcher at Human Rights Watch. Their affiliated media creates and distributes content about Peng’s story,” said Maya Wang, senior China researcher at Human Rights Watch.

“While it is possible that Peng is fine, the Chinese government’s history of making people disappear and then taking videos of them to prove that they are unharmed when in fact the opposite, would make us worried about Peng’s safety,” she added.

The video clips appear to have been created specifically – but crudely – to show Peng “free” and living a “normal” life.

In footage released on Saturday, Peng is seen going out to dinner with a number of people state media journalists have described as “her coach and friends.” The clips are repetitive, purportedly referencing dates, while Peng repeatedly nods to the man talking next to her, while she herself says whatever.

None of the videos vaguely mention Peng’s sexual assault allegations against Zhang. Instead, they focused on her smile and good spirit – something state media propagandists aspire to highlight.

“Those who suspect Peng Shuai are being raped, how should they stay in the dark. There must be many, many demonstrations of forced politics in their countries,” Hu wrote on Twitter.

To date, the Chinese government has repeatedly refused to comment on Peng’s case. Speaking at a news conference on Thursday, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian said Peng’s allegations were not a diplomatic matter and declined to comment further. CNN has reached out to the Information Office of the State Council of China, which handles press requests to the central government, for comment.

“The fact that they have so much control over Peng Shuai – enough to get her to collaborate and become an actress,” said Lv Pin, a prominent Chinese feminist now based in China. New York, alleging.

Chinese authorities have so far decided against putting Peng on state television, perhaps aware that her presence – even only on English-language platforms – would run counter to efforts. repeatedly aimed at censoring all discussion around Peng’s original allegations and creating more questions within China than answers.

Instead, Peng appeared on a 30-minute video call with IOC officials, accompanied by – and under the close supervision of – a Chinese sports official who was previously the Communist Party secretary. property of the Tennis Management Center of the General Department of Sports. Of China.

The interview has not been reported by Chinese state media. But on its website, the IOC posted a statement and a photo of the call. It did not release the full video, nor did it explain the circumstances surrounding the call, including how it was arranged.

Instead, it appears that IOC officials walked away from the meeting – at least publicly – concluding that Peng was fine.

IOC Athletes Commission President Emma Terho, who joined the video call with Li Lingwei, the Chinese sports official, said: “I feel relieved to see Peng Shuai is doing well, it is a matter of concern. our main focus.

By jumping to conclusions quickly about Peng’s current condition and avoiding mentioning her sexual assault allegations that have sparked an entire controversy, analysts say the IOC is putting its own credibility on the line. themselves to the fore – and risk becoming complicit in promoting Beijing’s propaganda.

“The IOC’s appeal has done little to alleviate our concerns about Peng’s health or safety,” said Wang from HRW.

“In fact, it raises the question of why the IOC appears to be engaged in a narrative that is essentially state-controlled, since only the government and affiliated media are allowed to tell the story.” by Peng.”