Promoting London in China

Great party at London House. Loads of athletes and all the stars. Had lots of fun with Jimmy Page, Leona Lewis and David Beckham. Also met Jackie Chang on top form.

Delighted with London House and thrilled that the LDA put it together so well whille spending around 30% less than Ken Livingstone had planned.

They've also put it to extremely good commerical use. Over the last few days I've been dropping in on various brunches, lunches and dinners. Elegant people have held orderly meetings in quiet rooms away from the party goers and the press.

And today I learn that more than a hundred Chinese companies have held talks about doing business in London. Around 30 have expressed a serious interest in moving ahead.
This morning - I struck a deal with one of them. Geong makes software for online banking and trading - among other things. They recently listed on AIM and I was thrilled to hear them say how much better their experience was of our Alternative Investment Market than the other exchanges they'd looked at around the world.

Henry Tse told me in perfect English that opening an office in London is the logical next step and he's just signed a letter of intent comitting to that as he seeks to grow his business in Europe.

A London taxi is now set to drive around 12 Chinese cities seeking other opportunities. I dread to think what the fare would be, but on the basis of the last few weeks, I'm confident the customer - in this case London - will be getting a bargain.

Last night at the Beijing Olympics

Glorious last night of athletics. Mesmerised by parabolic javelin throws and gravity defying high jumps. Texted with news of Olympic gold for the Harlesden boxer, James DeGale.

Sitting with David Beckham at the time, with Seb Coe on my right. Next to him - as evidence of the political unity on this one - Gordon Brown.

We did the same this morning at London House - as I hopped with my begging bowl from one business brunch to another.

The father of Chinese venture capitalism has just given me a tie. Is it a hint I ask, noting that I'm one of the only people around the table not wearing one.

Who knows? My mission here is to tempt them to bring their huge wedges of cash to London. Our city is the global capital of finance, but I've been constantly reminded over the last few days that the Chinese do capitalism extremely well.

They also do Olympics very well and as I psych myself up to take the flag at the closing ceremony tonight I'm intensely conscious of the challenge ahead.

A busy day

Toured the Olympic Village with Simon Clegg, Chief Executive of the British Olympic Association and Ben Hunt Davies, a rowing gold medallist from Sydney 2000.

Gave opening address at a reception to discuss making London the top spot for major sporting events where I promised to do all I can to help London win the right to stage the Rugby World Cup in 2015.

Briefed several journalists at the London House.

Attended the boxing semi-finals to watch John De Gale win another medal for Team GB.
Attended a reception at the London House attended by business representatives from the Chinese creative industries sector to encourage them to set up business in London.