Zhang Gaori, former Deputy Prime Minister of China. [AFP=연합뉴스 자료사진. 재판매 및 DB 금지]
(Seoul = Yonhap News) Reporter Kim Tae-jong = Former Chinese deputy prime minister Zhang Ga-ori, who is accused of sexually assaulting Chinese tennis player Feng Shun-yi, was reported to have been deeply involved in the bid and preparations for the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing.
The Wall Street Journal (WSJ) reported on the 24th (local time) that a video call between International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Thomas Bach and Peng Shuyi re-examined former Deputy Prime Minister Zhang Gaori, who was accused of sexual assault.
After rumors of Peng’s disappearance were raised after she was sexually assaulted, the IOC announced on the 22nd that Chairman Bach had a video call with Peng and confirmed his safety.
However, questions have been raised as to why the IOC has stepped forward, and as a photo of Bach and former Deputy Prime Minister Zhang Gaori in 2016 was released, there were also unfavorable views as to whether the power of the Chinese authorities was crazy in the video call between Peng Shunyi and the IOC. .
The WSJ reported that former deputy prime minister Zhang Gaori, now a retired member of the Communist Party, was a powerful and skilled tech bureaucrat during his tenure, pushing China’s top priorities, including hosting the 2022 Winter Olympics.
Based on IOC documents, the WSJ explained that former Deputy Prime Minister Zhang Ga-ori led the steering group to provide support, manage and supervise the selection of a venue for the 2022 Olympic Games.
The group included all the heads of relevant ministries, and former Deputy Prime Minister Zhang Gaori served as a contact with top IOC officials, including Chairman Bach.
He also directed everything from stadium construction to transportation to prepare for the Olympics before handing over the post to his successor in 2018, the WSJ added.
Former Deputy Prime Minister Zhang Ga-ori reported that she received relatively little attention when rumors of Peng’s disappearance were raised, but the situation changed when he and Bach shook hands in Beijing in 2016 started circulating on social media.
Citing Xinhua News Agency, former Deputy Prime Minister Zhang Gaori met with Bach at the Communist Party’s secret leadership building and said, “The Chinese government attaches great importance to preparations for the 2022 Winter Olympics.”
In response, the IOC did not attach any special meaning to the meeting between former Deputy Prime Minister Zhang Gaori and Chairman Bach, saying, “Like representatives of governments, corporations, and international organizations, IOC representatives regularly meet with their counterparts. This is common sense.”
However, the WSJ explained that leading the Olympic Winter Games steering committee was part of the former deputy prime minister’s job, including greeting foreign officials and helping shape financial and industrial policies.
He added that former Deputy Prime Minister Zhang was one of the Communist Party’s seven most powerful Politburo Standing Committees from 2012 to 2017, and before that, was the Communist Party secretary in Tianjin.
taejong75@yna.co.kr
<저작권자(c) 연합뉴스,
Unauthorized reproduction-redistribution prohibited>
2021/11/25 11:33 Send
