蜜芽传媒

The Women's Tennis Association has announced the immediate suspension of all tournaments in China amid concern for tennis player Peng Shuai.

The 35-year-old disappeared from public view for three weeks after accusing former Vice-Premier Zhang Gaoli of sexual assault. He has made no comment and Peng has since said she is "safe and well" during a video call with the president of the International Olympic Committee.

However the WTA, which has called for a full investigation into the accusations says it has "serious doubts" that Peng is "free, safe and not subject to intimidation". China has said it "opposes the politicisation of sports".

Yaqiu Wang is a Senior Researcher on China with Human Rights Watch based in New York. She said the move by the WTA to support human rights over their business and profits "is very courageous".

(Picture: China's Peng Shuai serves during the Australian Open in 2019. Credit: Reuters)