China has said the controversy surrounding tennis star Peng Shuai has been “maliciously hyped up”, in its most direct response to the issue yet.
Peng disappeared from the public eye for almost three weeks after making sexual assault allegations against China’s former vice premier, triggering widespread international concern.
She has since re-appeared, but questions remain over her wellbeing.
On Tuesday, China’s foreign ministry said it was “not a diplomatic matter”.
“I believe you have all seen that she recently attended some public events and had a video call [with the president of the International Olympic Committee],” spokesman Zhao Lijian told reporters.
“I think some people should stop deliberately and maliciously hyping [the issue] up, let alone politicise this issue,” he said.
Over the weekend, Peng had a video call with the head of the International Olympic Committee, after which a statement from the group said she had appeared safe and well.
Over the weekend, Peng had a video call with the head of the International Olympic Committee, after which a statement from the group said she had appeared safe and well. A state media journalist also posted a video clip he said was from Sunday that showed her smiling and standing with officials at a tennis tournament.
However, concerns over her safety and wellbeing remain, with the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) saying the recent videos “don’t alleviate or address… concern about her wellbeing and ability to communicate without censorship or coercion”.