A 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.

Bill: 117-sres-474
Sponsor: full_name: Sen. Scott, Rick [R-FL]
Introduced: 2021-12-08
Policy area: International Affairs
Latest action: action_date: 2021-12-08
text: Referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations. (text: CR S9048-9049)

Summaries:
action_date: 2021-12-08
action_desc: Introduced in Senate
text: <p>This resolution applauds the actions of the Women's Tennis Association to</p> <ul> <li> seek the security and safety of Peng Shuai, and</li> <li>hold the Communist Party of China (CPC) accountable for its authoritarian censorship of Peng. </li> </ul> <p>The resolution condemns the International Olympic Committee for cooperating in the CPC's suppression of Peng. </p> <p>The resolution condemns the CPC's violation of Peng's basic human rights to freedom of speech and movement. </p> <p>Finally, the resolution demands that the CPC </p> <ul> <li>prove that Peng is free from censorship, coercion, and intimidation; and</li> <li>fully investigate Peng's sexual assault allegation against former Vice Premier Zhang Gaoli. </li> </ul>

tv_txt: III 117th CONGRESS 1st Session S. RES. 474 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; 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; 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

That the Senate— (1) applauds the actions of the Women’s Tennis Association— (A) to seek the security and safety of Peng Shuai; and (B) to hold the Communist Party of China accountable for its authoritarian censorship of Peng Shuai; (2) condemns the International Olympic Committee for cooperating in the Communist Party of China's suppression of Peng Shuai; (3) condemns the Communist Party of China’s violation of Peng Shuai’s basic human rights to freedom of speech and movement; and (4) demands that the Communist Party of China— (A) prove that Peng Shuai is free from censorship, coercion, and intimidation; and (B) fully investigate Peng Shuai’s sexual assault allegation against former Vice Premier Zhang Gaoli.