Chinese tennis star Peng Shuai has publicly accused a retired Communist official of sexual assault.
In a post on Chinese social media site Weibo, Ms Peng said former Vice Premier, Zhang Gaoli, had “forced” her to have sexual relations with him.
It is the first time such an allegation has been made against one of China’s senior political leaders.
Mr Zhang has not responded to her claims. The post has since been scrubbed from China’s internet.
Searches for Ms Peng – a former number one ranked tennis doubles player – also appear to have been restricted.
