International concern over the disappearance of Chinese tennis star Peng Shuai has cast a spotlight on sexual assault allegations in Chinese society — but experts say it’s also shown just how desperate the Chinese government is to shut down the country’s #MeToo movement.

“It’s awkward and an embarrassment and a total failure,” said Yaqiu Wang, a senior China researcher for Human Rights Watch.

This week, the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) announced it would suspend its operations inside China and Hong Kong. In a statement, the WTA said the situation involving Peng continues to raise serious concern.

​​”The response to those concerns has