III 

117TH CONGRESS 

1ST SESSION S. RES. 474 

Demanding that the Communist Party of China prove that Peng Shuai 

is free from censorship, coercion, and intimidation and fully investigate 

the sexual assault allegations against former Vice Premier Zhang Gaoli. 

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES 

DECEMBER 8, 2021 

Mr. SCOTT of Florida (for himself, Ms. LUMMIS, Mr. RUBIO, Mr. BRAUN, Mr. 

HAWLEY, and Mr. CRUZ) submitted the following resolution; which was 

referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations 

RESOLUTION 

Demanding that the Communist Party of China prove that 

Peng Shuai is free from censorship, coercion, and intimidation and fully investigate the sexual assault allegations 

against former Vice Premier Zhang Gaoli. 

Whereas, as a decorated professional tennis player, a 3-time 

Olympian, and the number 1 doubles player in 2014 as 

ranked by the Women’s Tennis Association, Peng Shuai 

is one of the most recognizable athletes from the People’s 

Republic of China; 

Whereas, on November 2, 2021, Peng Shuai publicly accused 

former Vice Premier of the People’s Republic of China 

Zhang Gaoli of sexual assault; 


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•SRES 474 IS 

Whereas Peng Shuai was immediately censored by the Communist Party of China and physically removed from public view; 

Whereas searches for Peng Shuai were blocked on social 

media platforms accessible from the People’s Republic of 

China; 

Whereas, for more than 2 weeks, the international athletic 

community, led by the Women’s Tennis Association, demanded that the Communist Party of China reveal the 

location and health status of Peng Shuai and fully investigate the allegations against former Vice Premier Zhang 

Gaoli; 

Whereas the state media of the People’s Republic of China 

released an email allegedly from Peng Shuai to the Women’s Tennis Association in which Peng Shuai withdrew 

her allegations of sexual assault and claimed she was not 

missing; 

Whereas the President of the Women’s Tennis Association 

Steve Simon stated that the email raised more concerns 

as to the safety and whereabouts of Peng Shuai; 

Whereas, after immense international public outcry over the 

disappearance of Peng Shuai, Peng Shuai re-emerged at 

various structured public events in the People’s Republic 

of China and participated in staged video calls with the 

International Olympic Committee; 

Whereas, on December 1, 2021, the Women’s Tennis Association announced that it would halt all tournaments in 

the People’s Republic of China, including Hong Kong, because the Association is not satisfied that Peng Shuai is 

safe; 


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•SRES 474 IS 

Whereas Simon stated that the Women’s Tennis Association 

would willingly cut off one of its largest business partners 

until the health and safety of Peng Shuai was clarified, 

despite knowing the decision could cost the Women’s 

Tennis Association hundreds of millions of dollars in future revenue; 

Whereas Simon stated, ‘‘Chinese officials have been provided 

the opportunity to cease this censorship, verifiably prove 

that Peng is free and able to speak without interference 

or intimidation, and investigate the allegation of sexual 

assault in a full, fair and transparent manner. Unfortunately, the leadership in China has not addressed this 

very serious issue in any credible way. While we now 

know where Peng is, I have serious doubts that she is 

free, safe and not subject to censorship, coercion and intimidation.’’; 

Whereas the International Olympic Committee will host the 

2022 Winter Olympic Games in Beijing, People’s Republic of China; 

Whereas the actions of the Communist Party of China in silencing Peng Shuai call into question the safety of other 

athletes competing in the 2022 Winter Olympic Games; 

and 

Whereas the actions against Peng Shuai and other flagrant 

human rights abuses, such as the genocide of predominantly Muslim Uyghurs, committed by the Communist 

Party of China are inconsistent with Olympic values and 

the integrity of sport: Now, therefore, be it 

1 Resolved, That the Senate— 

2 (1) applauds the actions of the Women’s Tennis 

3 Association— 


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•SRES 474 IS 

1 (A) to seek the security and safety of Peng 

2 Shuai; and 

3 (B) to hold the Communist Party of China 

4 accountable for its authoritarian censorship of 

5 Peng Shuai; 

6 (2) condemns the International Olympic Com7 mittee for cooperating in the Communist Party of 

8 China’s suppression of Peng Shuai; 

9 (3) condemns the Communist Party of China’s 

10 violation of Peng Shuai’s basic human rights to free11 dom of speech and movement; and 

12 (4) demands that the Communist Party of 

13 China— 

14 (A) prove that Peng Shuai is free from 

15 censorship, coercion, and intimidation; and 

16 (B) fully investigate Peng Shuai’s sexual 

17 assault allegation against former Vice Premier 

18 Zhang Gaoli. 

Æ 


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