蜜芽传媒

There are growing concerns in China and overseas about the safety and well-being of one of the country's top tennis players, Peng Shuai. Two weeks ago she posted a message on social media alleging sexual assault against the former Vice Premier of China, Zhang Goalia. Her post was deleted very soon after and she hasn't been seen since.

Now an email said to be from Peng has been issued by Chinese state media, in which she says she's safe and well and dismisses the earlier allegations. But far from providing reassurance, it seems to have raised even more questions - including from the top official of women's tennis.

Human Rights Watch's China researcher Yaqiu Wang spoke to Newsday about the email and explained why she doesn't believe the message is authentic - and why Chinese authorities might be threatened by Peng speaking out.

(Picture: Peng Shuai at the Australian Open; Credit: Reuters)