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The Censoring of Peng Shuai

In November, Peng Shuai — one of China’s most popular tennis stars — took to Chinese social media to accuse Zhang Gaoli, who was a member of China’s seven-member ruling committee, of sexually assaulting her. Within minutes, Chinese censors had taken down Ms. Peng’s post, and, for weeks, no one sees or hears from her. We look at Ms. Peng’s story and what China’s attempts to censor her have meant for the sports industry.  Guest: Matthew Futterman, a sports reporter for The New York Times.
Duration
32m
Broadcast on
10 Dec 2021
Audio Format
other

In November, Peng Shuai — one of China’s most popular tennis stars — took to Chinese social media to accuse Zhang Gaoli, who was a member of China’s seven-member ruling committee, of sexually assaulting her.

Within minutes, Chinese censors had taken down Ms. Peng’s post, and, for weeks, no one sees or hears from her.

We look at Ms. Peng’s story and what China’s attempts to censor her have meant for the sports industry.  

Guest: Matthew Futterman, a sports reporter for The New York Times.

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For more information on today’s episode, visit nytimes.com/thedaily. Transcripts of each episode will be made available by the next workday. 

For more information on today’s episode, visit nytimes.com/thedaily. Transcripts of each episode will be made available by the next workday.

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This podcast is supported by TikTok. Sometimes the most interesting discoveries are the ones you weren't looking for. That happens every day on TikTok. A science experiment can spark a whole new interest. A recipe you stumble upon can become a meal you make for the people you love. And a restaurant you've never heard of might become your new favorite spot. That's the thing about TikTok. Follow your curiosity and see where it leads. Your next discovery is waiting on TikTok. From the New York Times, I'm Sabrina Tavernisi. This is The Daily. China's decision to censor a star athlete has confronted the sports industry with a dilemma. Speak out on her behalf or protect their financial interests in China. Today, I spoke to my colleague, Matt Futterman, about the unexpected way that dilemma is playing out. MUSIC It's Friday, December 10th. Matt, I keep seeing headlines involving China and a woman tennis player. And I'm not quite sure what to make of them. And as a longtime sports writer for The Times, who's covering this story, help me understand it. Tell me, where does it start? So this story starts on November 2nd, when Pung Shui, who has long been one of China's most popular tennis players, certainly, and probably even one of his most popular athletes, a three-time Olympian, Grand Slam doubles champion, she goes on one of China's largest social media sites, Weibo. And she posts a lengthy blog post, I guess you would call it, detailing her relationship, which culminated in a sexual assault. And she states in this post, even if it's just me, like an egg hitting a rock or a moth through a flame, courting self-destruction, I'll tell the truth about you. And you happens to be a gentleman named Zhang Goli, who was one of the members of China's seven-member ruling committee along with Xi Jinping. And this is the sort of accusation that does not get made against powerful people in China. Wow. So here's this woman tennis player who's taking on a really prominent and powerful Chinese leader and just listening to her words and the image it makes, crack like an egg hitting a rock.

Transcription truncated.

In November, Peng Shuai — one of China’s most popular tennis stars — took to Chinese social media to accuse Zhang Gaoli, who was a member of China’s seven-member ruling committee, of sexually assaulting her. Within minutes, Chinese censors had taken down Ms. Peng’s post, and, for weeks, no one sees or hears from her. We look at Ms. Peng’s story and what China’s attempts to censor her have meant for the sports industry.  Guest: Matthew Futterman, a sports reporter for The New York Times.