Rumors claim Liu Guoliang was arrested while trying to leave the country via Yunnan; the Chinese Table Tennis Association swiftly denied the allegation. The person in the center of the photo is Liu Guoliang. (Christof Koepsel/Bongarts/Getty Images)
[Dajiyuan] Liu Guoliang, who stepped down as chairman of the Chinese Table Tennis Association just 21 days ago, was rumoured on May 14 to have been arrested while attempting to leave the country via Yunnan. The news quickly shot to the top of trending topics and remained there for an extended period. However, the Chinese Table Tennis Association promptly issued a denial, refuting the rumours.
On May 14, rumours circulated on overseas social media platforms claiming that Liu Guoliang, former chairman of the Chinese Table Tennis Association, was arrested in Yunnan while allegedly attempting to flee the country. It was also reported that his luxury residence in Beijing had been raided, with nearly 100 million yuan in cash allegedly seized. The rumor further claimed Liu was connected to dozens of registered companies and studios, and that the case also involved former world champion Wang Nan and her husband.
Keywords like “Liu Guoliang” and “Wang Nan” quickly surged to the top of search rankings on Chinese social media.
In response, He Xiao, Secretary-General of the Chinese Table Tennis Association, came forward to officially deny the rumours. He stated, “We have noticed this false information circulating on overseas internet platforms,” and emphasised that with the World Table Tennis Championships about to begin, “we must prevent this rumour from having any negative impact on the national team.” He urged the public to “not believe or spread rumours.”
However, the denial did not dispel public scepticism. Many netizens commented: “Usually when they deny something, it's actually true.” “There’s no smoke without fire. The more you try to cover it up, the more I believe what I believe.” “You who are denying this—can you show any public appearance or video of him after the 14th?” “Same old trick. Back then it was Cai Zhenhua. Athletes can’t outplay the ones playing politics.”
Last month, on April 23, following the Chinese men’s singles team’s loss at the World Cup, 49-year-old Liu Guoliang stepped down as chairman of the Chinese Table Tennis Association—two full years before the end of his scheduled term, making him the shortest-serving chairman in the association’s history. According to regulations, the chairman serves a four-year term, renewable once. Liu resigned midway through his second term, and the news once again topped trending searches and triggered widespread discussion.
According to Table Tennis World on May 14, Liu Guoliang still serves as First Vice President of the International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) and Chairman of the WTT (World Table Tennis) Board. He is scheduled to attend an ITTF meeting in Doha on May 21.
Netizens commented, “Let’s just see if he shows up in Doha on the 21st.” Whether Liu appears in person will serve as a strong indicator of whether the rumours hold any truth.
Editor: Gao Hui
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