Mr Blair was not certain whether the chancellor was directly behind the moves against him, but such is their mutualdistrust that he thought it more than likely.
The mutualdistrust began in the 1997 season and intensified in November 1998 when it emerged Johnson had sold striker Duncan Ferguson to Newcastle behind the back of manager Walter Smith.
It is in China's interests to build confidence with its neighbours, reduce mutual strategic distrust with America and demonstrate its willingness to abide by global norms.