Why did Peng’s Weibo post get scrubbed so quickly?

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Peng Shuai Denies Sexual Assault Allegation, Claims Post Was Misunderstood

Peng Shuai has stated that her social media post, which alleged sexual coercion by a former Chinese vice-premier, was a "private matter" and that there were "many misunderstandings." She specifically denied making any accusation of sexual assault, asserting that her communication, including an email to the Women's Tennis Association (WTA), was entirely of her own free will. Despite these statements in an interview with Lianhe Zaobao, the WTA maintains significant concerns regarding her well-being and ability to communicate without coercion or censorship.
Peng's Denial of Allegations

In an interview with Singaporean Chinese-language newspaper Lianhe Zaobao, Peng Shuai explicitly stated, "I would like to stress a very important point: I have never said nor written anything accusing anyone of sexually assaulting me." The 35-year-old former tennis champion appeared in footage apparently filmed at a sports event in Shanghai, where she emphasised this point. This directly contradicts the content of a previous post on China's Weibo platform, where she had alleged that former vice-premier Zhang Gaoli coerced her into sex.
Characterisation of the Weibo Post

When questioned about the Weibo post during the Lianhe Zaobao interview, Peng described it as a "private matter" that had led to "many misunderstandings." She did not provide further details on the nature of these misunderstandings. She also insisted that she has "always been very free" and that she is not under surveillance, responding to a question about her freedom of movement since making the accusations.
WTA's Continued Concerns

The Women's Tennis Association (WTA) has not been reassured by Peng's statements. In a statement, the organisation reiterated its "significant concerns about her well-being and ability to communicate without censorship or coercion." The WTA remains steadfast in its call for a "full, fair and transparent investigation, without censorship, into her allegation of sexual assault." As a result of these concerns, the WTA has suspended all its tournaments in China.
Authenticity of Communications

The interview follows the release of images and an email by Chinese state media, purportedly showing Peng Shuai in good health and stating that "everything is fine." However, WTA chief Steve Simon had previously expressed skepticism about the authenticity of the email, questioning whether Peng was truly free to speak openly. In the Lianhe Zaobao footage, Peng asserted that this email was legitimate and written "entirely of my own free will."

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Why did Peng’s Weibo post get scrubbed so quickly?

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