Where is Chinese tennis star Peng Shuai?
The China Letter: November 21, 2021
Here’s what people are talking about this week when it comes to China: the strange case of Peng Shuai, a meeting between Biden and Xi, Beijing warning against getting close to Taiwan, and a Captain America shield leading to trouble. Plus, an expression of optimism for the Chinese government to see the light when it comes to Hong Kong.
A tennis star is missing
Chinese state media broadcaster CGTN published correspondence purportedly from Peng Shuai, in which the tennis player said she was fine despite having not been seen since posting a sexual assault allegation to social media—which involved 75-year-old ex-vice-premier Zhang Gaoli. The consensus is that she didn’t write the letter. Without answers, the World Tennis association is threatening to pull out of China.
Bridges between borders
Beijing’s spin on the virtual meeting of Joe Biden and Xi Jinping was more relaxed that how it played internationally, at least when it came to the topic of Taiwanese independence. But the leaders called for more cooperation. At least one agreement was reached: both countries will relax visa restrictions on each other’s journalists.
Fighting against friendship
Talk of a proposed relationship between Vancouver and the Taiwanese city of Kaohsiung led the Chinese consulate in the Canadian city to warn against it—even though there was no formal application. Vancouver had simply established a “Friendship City Program,” and it’s unusual for any such entreaties to be rejected.
Superhero sent to prison
“Captain America 2.0” became known for holding the superhero’s shield at pro-democracy rallies in Hong Kong. And now he’s been jailed for almost six years. The former deliveryman was the second person convicted for sedition under the new national security law, following a protester who drove his motorcycle into a group of police.
The final words of wisdom
Adrien Pouliot, a prominant business and political leader in the Quebec, is featured in new videos from the Canadian Freedom Institute. “I wish that the other countries would support the revolution that is happening,” he says. “I hope they win and that China backs off.” Watch his two-minute talk about the recent Hong Kong protests:
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