Having lived there for a couple of years, I can safely say that this indifference is widespread. Most of the Chinese people who I encountered - which of course was a very limited pool of university students, English graduates and teachers - but nevertheless, the people you would hope to be at least aware of the issues - are not really that bothered.

And why should they be? They are generally doing quite well for themselves. The economy is booming and the shops are full of goods.

Tony also knows what side his bread is buttered:

Mr Blair told journalists discussions with Mr Hu would focus on the growing economic links between the two countries as well as international security issues and climate change. (BBC)

Fair enough. At the end of the day, this is his job. Well done to him if he can even wedge in a comment on climate change, but he may as well try. But there is also no doubt that China's growing economic and military power is the main factor in Blair's mind. He simply cannot dare to say anything critical of China in the light of these two facts, not that he would be listened to anyway.

And get this:

The prime minister earlier said protests over China's human rights records would be free to go ahead.

Well, thanks very much Mr Blair. Great that protests over human rights are still free to go ahead in our country. Anything else would be a breach of human rights, wouldn't it?

Anyway, what happens in the UK this week doesn't make a difference. What will make a difference is what protests occur during the Beijing 2008 Olympics. You won't bring thousands of foreigners in to China's stadiums and sports halls without something happening. Watch that space.

A few excerpts follow for the benefit of those reading in China and who can't access these stories due to government censorship of the Internet. I'd be interested to hear about whether BBC News 24 has been sporting a black screen in China too - I've seen it happen with my own eyes, it's not hearsay.

From 'Battle of the Flags' (BBC):

Ilyar Pehridin, a former refugee and member of the British Uyghur Association, said that their cause was the forgotten one amidst the vast swathe of complaints against China. Their culture is being eroded, he said, amid immigration policies designed to fragment the Uyghar identity and suppress its language. Since 9/11, he claimed, the Chinese government had used general fear of Islamist extremism to crush peaceful dissent by Muslim people in the territory.

"Our people are completely oppressed and cannot challenge China's rule," he said.

"If we even raise our flag, it is an offence. I am very surprised that the British state would give such a reception to Mr Hu when we all know the abuses he is responsible for. But today I stand here as a proud British citizen, exercising my right to protest."

From 'China Goes on Diplomatic Offensive' (also BBC)

There is still a certain nervousness that accompanies discussion of China's future role.

Nobody knows how its mixed system of capitalism run by a communist part will develop or even continue.

"The 'rise' of China has suddenly become the all-absorbing topic for those professionally concerned with the future of the planet," said Professor Lord Robert Skidelsky in the latest New York Review of Books.

"Focus on China is overdue," he added, concluding that the mixed government formula had "worked brilliantly" but wondering whether this "duet of Party dictatorship and economic freedom can continue."

Independent cover story in full:

China: the true costs of success

As President Hu Jintao arrives in Britain on a controversial state visit, these are the true costs of the economic success story of our age

Published: 08 November 2005

Death penalty

China executes about 10,000 people a year. Amnesty International says that in any three-month period, it kills more of its people than the rest of the world does over three years. The executed include those found guilty offences such as bribery, embezzlement and stealing petrol. Innocent people are frequently killed. Most executions take place after sentences are imposed at rallies in front of massive crowds.

Tibet

Disappearances and torture of supporters of the Dalai Lama are commonplace. President Hu Jintao ruled as Communist Party secretary with a rod of iron from 1988 to 1992 when hundreds of Tibetans were killed or imprisoned. Last week he said Tibet had been an "inalienable part of Chinese territory" since the 13th century, and he challenged the Dalai Lama to "renounce his Tibetan independence proposition ... and really do something useful and beneficial for his country".

Torture

Police psychiatrists systematically misdiagnose political dissidents, religious nonconformists, persistent complainers and petitioners, independent trade unionists, and whistleblowers against corruption as being "dangerously mentally ill". They are "treated" at mental asylums.

Armed force

While protesting it is a peace-loving country, China is now the third or fourth mightiest military power in the world. China is a strategic nuclear force and its navy is moving into the open seas. In the past two years, China has unveiled a new attack submarine and a new light battleship. There has been sabre-rattling against Taiwan and even Japan.

Xinjiang

In the mostly Muslim autonomous region of Xinjiang China has cracked down on religious practitioners and activists and abused them in prisons and "re-education through labour" camps. Some have been executed. Detainees are beaten with shackles, given electric shocks, and kicked unconscious. China's support for the "war against terrorism" will gain it international support (or at least silence) for its own crackdown.

Bird flu

China's secrecy and initial denials over the 2003 Sars epidemic were criticised by world health officials. Beijing has taken a similar approach to bird flu. There are fears that the culture of secrecy will disguise the scale of outbreak and help the spread of a pandemic that may kill millions.

Environment

As China's economy expands with double-digit growth, it is becoming probably the single greatest threat to the planet. With a population of 1.3billion, it has overtaken the US as the world's leading consumer of grain, meat, coal and steel.

Its drive for coal-fired power stations is vastly increasing the world output of greenhouse gases, and it is resisting limits. Within 20 years, its output will dwarf any cuts the rest of the world can make.

Censorship

Falun Gong and Protestant groups face severe repression. Freedom of thought, conscience and religion are restricted. No organisation is tolerated that could challenge the Communist Party's control over aspects of society it deems crucial. Google has agreed to Beijing demands to exclude 'objectionable' links. Microsoft stops internet users searching for the words for democracy, freedom, human rights or demonstration.