Exclusive by Bob Roberts
Tony Blair faced the anger of human rights activists last night for secretly planning a trade mission to China.
He has claimed the moral case for going to war with Iraq is to stop Saddam Hussein’s human rights abuses.
But he will ignore the abysmal human rights record of China when he travels to Beijing to help win contracts for British businesses.
Restricted documents seen by the Daily Mirror show the visit is being planned for April or May.
The itinerary focuses on trade but he is likely to ask for China’s help to stop North Korea developing nuclear weapons.
Alison Reynolds of the Free Tibet Campaign said: “If he goes, he must insist on unconditional negotiations on Tibet.”
And LibDem foreign affairs spokesman Mike Moore warned the Chinese could use the visit for a propaganda coup.
Downing Street said they would not comment on the PM’s travel plans.
