According to NBC News, Shuai alleged that she was sexually assaulted by Gaoli while he was in office. Shuai claimed that she had an ongoing, off-again relationship to Gaoli, who is in her 70s.
E! News reached out to China Foreign Office for comment but did not receive a response.
In a statement from Nov. 14, WTA Chairman and CEOSteve SimonCall for a “full, fair and transparent investigation”Shuai’s claims, including in part, “We expect this issue to be handled properly, meaning the allegations must be investigated fully, fairly, transparently and without censorship.”
He released another statement on Nov. 17 calling for her safety. “The WTA and the rest of the world need independent and verifiable proof that she is safe. I have repeatedly tried to reach her via numerous forms of communication, to no avail,”He wrote.