China's rising star takes world stage

Mr Hu, right, meeting Russia's chief of staff in Beijing

The man expected to become China's next president is in Moscow ahead of his first visit to the West.

The enigmatic Hu Jintao, currently vice president, is hardly known outside his homeland and his trip to Russia, the United Kingdom, France, Spain and Germany is being seen as a chance for him to step out onto the world stage.

The late leader Deng Xiaoping anointed Hu Jintao

The 11 September attacks on the United States have thrust the tour into the international spotlight.

Mr Hu is the first Chinese leader to visit the West since those attacks took place and America's response to them looks set to dominate his discussions.

"The objective of the visits is to strengthen our friendship and cooperation with the various countries," a Chinese foreign ministry spokesman told the French news agency AFP.

"During the meetings with the leaders of the countries he will exchange views on issues of common concern, including the fight against terrorism."

Concern in Russia

Mr Hu is be the third Chinese leader to visit Russia in four months.

Last July, President Jiang signed a friendship pact with President Vladimir Putin, based largely on the two governments' mutual opposition to the US missile defence plans.

Jiang Zemin will step down as president in 2003

But Mr Putin's new close relationship with US President George Bush has caused concern in Beijing that Moscow might change its mind on missile defence.

The two countries still share the hope, however, that the war on terrorism will help justify their own campaigns against Islamic separatists.

After Moscow Mr Hu will move on to a somewhat less certain welcome in Britain, where pro-Tibet independence groups are promising him a rough ride.

The Free Tibet Campaign says it plans to hold vigils during the vice president's visit.

"It would reflect well on Tony Blair at this time to demonstrate a commitment to pursuing peaceful solutions to global problems, such as the occupation of Tibet," said a statement issued by the group.

Anointed successor

Mr Hu, 59, ranks fifth in the Communist Party's seven-member Politburo Standing Committee and is its youngest member.

He was anointed successor to President Jiang Zemin by the late paramount leader, Deng Xiaoping, and will replace him as leader of the party next year.

He will then take Mr Jiang's place as president when the latter steps down in 2003.

Outside the Communist Party inner circle, very little is known about the Chinese vice president.

Some say he has a photographic memory, others that he likes ballroom dancing and table tennis.

But what he says and does abroad will be scrutinised minutely, not only by the governments in the West but also by his own colleagues back in Beijing.

As one analyst in Beijing put it, his performance could affect his political fate.