Peng has had few direct contacts with officials outside China since she disappeared from public view earlier this month. She told Olympic officials in a video call on November 21 from Beijing that she was fine and in good health.

An EU spokesperson said: “Her recent public appearance does not alleviate concerns about her safety and freedom.”

Ping made an online sexual assault allegation against the former member of the ruling Communist Party’s Standing Committee, Zhang Gaoli. The tennis player’s post was removed within minutes, and she stopped appearing in public.

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“The European Union joins the growing international demands, including by sports professionals, for assurances that it is free and not under threat,” the European Union said in a statement. In this spirit, the European Union is asking the Chinese government to provide verifiable evidence of Peng Shuai’s safety, well-being and whereabouts. The European Union urges the Chinese authorities to conduct a full, fair and transparent investigation into the allegations of sexual abuse.”

Peng adds to a growing number of Chinese businessmen, activists and ordinary people who have fallen out of the public eye in recent years after criticizing party figures or in anti-corruption or pro-democracy and labor rights campaigns.

The European Union said: “The European Union firmly opposes the use of enforced disappearance and arbitrary detention…and calls on China to comply with its human rights obligations under national and international law.”