According to NBC News, Shuai alleged that she was sexually assaulted by Gaoli while he was in office. Shuai wrote that she was in an on-again, off-again relationship with the official, who is currently in his 70s.
E! News reached out to the Chinese Foreign Office for comment and did not hear back.
In a statement from Nov. 14, WTA Chairman and CEO Steve Simon called for a “full, fair and transparent investigation” into Shuai’s claims, adding in part, “We expect this issue to be handled properly, meaning the allegations must be investigated fully, fairly, transparently and without censorship.”
On Nov. 17, he released another statement 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.