Cr Phil Yeo, Cr Larry Whipper, Cr Jim Clark and Cr Sara Murray failed to persuade council to rescind its decision to send a delegation to Kaifeng City in Henan Province to investigate cultural, business, agricultural and educational opportunities.

Council has agreed to fund the expenses of the Mayor and businessman Eugene Lui, who will act as interpreter and guide, at a cost of $11,000. Other participants will pay their own way.

Cr Yeo said that while he was not opposed to the trip, he believed that the timing of the delegation was wrong, considering council had recently been "crying poor" after the recent rejection of its rate rise.

Council could appear to be on a bit of junket if it went ahead with the delegation without a definite goal, he said.

Cr Clark and Cr Whipper rejected Cr Nick Campbell-Jones' argument that the developing a relationship with China would encourage them to improve human rights.

"On human rights grounds, the trip is unsupportable," said Cr Clark.

"It's very sad if some people think open dialogue is the way forward. I don't think there'll be any dialogue about human rights on the trip to China.