COUNCILLORS have snubbed approaches from China's third largest city to become sister cities, because of the nation's appalling human rights record.

Officials from the city of Yuzhong, in Chongqing province, in south west China, have twice visited Bexley this year.

Impressed by what they saw, they want to establish closer ties with the borough and wrote inviting the council's chief executive Nick Johnson, leader Councillor Chris Ball and others to visit Chongqing.

The proposal, which has been backed by former prime minister and ex-Old Bexley and Sidcup MP Sir Edward Heath, went to Bexley's council meeting last week.

It was proposed Mr Johnson would travel to China with his wife, at his own expense, between December 21 and 30, and meet local government officials.

"I read the proposal with incredulity," said Tory councillor Colin Tandy. "What possible benefit will it be to this borough?"

Labour councillor Richard Justham agreed: "I am concerned we are even considering relations with a country which has got such an appalling human rights record."

Labour councillor Tonya Kelsey was even more passionate in her opposition, saying: "I don't agree with the belief there's nothing in it for us'. Let's look at the morals.

"I have seen the effects of the repression in Tibet where more than 1.2m people have been killed," she declared.

Tory group leader Councillor Ian Clements also opposed the move.

He said: "We need to reach out to other countries but will our Chinese hosts have expectations which Bexley cannot cope with financially or morally?"

Cllr Ball says he understands people's concerns about China's human rights record but he said links with Chongqing could provide huge opportunities.

He says since the Chinese had already visited there would be little cost involved.

"It is worth having a go," he suggested.

But councillors voted 37 to 14 to write back to the Chinese declining the invitation.