[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 212 (Wednesday, December 8, 2021)]
[Senate]
[Pages S9048-S9049]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  SENATE RESOLUTION 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

  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.:

                              S. Res. 474

       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
       Resolved, 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;

[[Page S9049]]

       (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.

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