Disappearing CPC Critics

"On November 17, China Global Television Network (CGTN), the international arm of the Chinese state broadcaster China Central Television, released the text of an e-mail, in English, purportedly written by Peng. In that message—correctly described by many as "creepy"—she said she was "fine." Peng also said the "news" released by the Women's Tennis Association "including the allegation of sexual assault, is not true." Almost nobody believes that the message is both authentic and not the result of coercion."

"Peng is not the only high-profile figure detained in recent months. Businessman Jack Ma, citizen journalists Zhang Zhan and Chen Qiushi, and celebrity Zhao Wei were all disappeared. Consider it a pattern."

Gordon Chang, Gatestone

The disappearance this month of tennis star Peng Shuai (pictured) has led many around the world to question the holding of the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing. Now, only the morally bankrupt could think it is a good idea to allow the hostage-taking, rapist-protecting, genocide-committing Chinese regime to host this competition. (Photo by Wang He/Getty Images)

China, under Xi Jinping is known internationally for its quick temper, setting its diplomats free to use decidedly undiplomatic, insulting language when defending China's now-brittle reputation from its international critics. Under President Xi's direction the Chinese Communist Party now indulges in international abductions, popularly known as 'hostage diplomacy', detaining, imprisoning and charging foreigners in China on the pretext of protecting its national interests from malign forces, as a method of warning to other countries with which it has disagreements.

That Beijing also kidnaps its own citizenry as a method of restraint when they manage to become too 'individual', too influential and in any way, shape or form pose a potential challenge to the ruling party, they are 'disappeared' to silence them and to reduce the level of their influence. No one can escape, not even the man who is the proprietor and inventor of the popular social media sites operated through the tech giant Alibaba with its 800 million users, the multi-multi-billionaire, Jack Ma.

Jack Ma - seen here at an Alibaba event - is estimated to be worth more than $50bn  Getty Images

"The Alibaba founder had accused Chinese banks of operating with a "pawn-shop mentality". He had also claimed that the authorities were trying to "use the way to manage a railway station to manage an airport" when it came to regulating the new world of digital finance."

"These statements angered the banking establishment and reportedly reached the attention of President Xi Jinping." 

BBC

Add it all up; China's aggression in the East China Sea and the South China Sea, claiming disputed territories as its own, and threatening its neighbours who believe they have territorial rights to the land, sea and airways under dispute. Beijing's treatment in Xinjiang of millions of Uyghur Muslims, through 're-education' by incarcerating them in guarded isolation centres, sterilizing Uyghur women, sending men to other provinces as slave labour, among its many affronts to human rights. 

No other nation nor group of nations is able to confront and oppose Beijing's aggression without paying dearly for it. Some labour under that humiliating and costly, threatening condition of being punished by China; Australia knows how its wrath striking trade and diplomacy can sting, and so does Canada, among others. So why is the world prepared to beat a path of competition toward Beijing's hosting of the 2022 winter Olympics?

Its much admired three-time Olympic tennis star revealed on social media that a former vice-premier of China, helped by his wife, coerced her into a sexual relationship, and the torment that brought her. Her post was online for less than a half-hour before disappearing. And suddenly Peng Shuai too disappeared. Chinese state media has responded to the alarm and concern being expressed in the sport world, by assuring an international audience that all is well. It is debatable how many in China are aware of Peng's sudden absence through China's heavily censored internet.

"The statement released today by Chinese state media concerning Peng Shuai only raises my concerns as to her safety and whereabouts."

"The WTA and the rest of the world need independent and verifiable proof that she is safe. I have repeatedly tried to reach her via numerous forms of communication, to no avail."

Steve Simon, chairman, Women's Tennis Association

"Peng's recent so-called statement that 'everything is fine' should not be taken at face value as China's state media has a track record of forcing statements out of individuals under duress, or else simply fabricating them."

"These concerns will not go away unless Peng's safety and whereabouts are confirmed."

Doriane Lau, China researcher, Amnesty International

International Olympic Committee