Chelsea's pre-season tour of Asia has hit further controversy after Amnesty International implored the Barclays Premier League club to address human-rights issues during their trip to China.

Amnesty's intervention comes amid heightened concerns over China's human-rights record following the Beijing government's allegedly heavy-handed treatment of pro-independence protestors in Tibet - just months before the Chinese capital hosts the Olympic Games this summer.

The Blues revealed on Friday that the opening game of the Samsung-Chelsea Asia Tour 2008 will be in the southern Chinese city of Guangzhou against Super League side Guangzhou Pharmaceutical.

It prompted Chelsea chief executive Peter Kenyon to say: "I am delighted that we are coming to China, and particularly to Guangzhou, for the first time. We have a lot of support here and now we can give our Chinese fans the opportunity to see us play.

"Chinese football is developing at a rapid pace and Chelsea wants to play a role in that."

But given the timing of Chelsea's announcement, Amnesty believe it is only right that they should raise the thorny subject of human rights during their time in China.

"If Chelsea Football Club really want to build a lasting legacy in China they should address the issue of human rights head on when they are there," said Tim Hancock, campaigns director of Amnesty.

"If Chelsea go ahead with their plans to play a pre-season friendly in China, they should go with their eyes open.

"China's human-rights record is appalling in areas like free speech, fair trials and the extensive use of the death penalty.

"The reality is that people in China cannot speak out without fear of reprisal so it's up to others to do so for them."