Boris hails deal on underground

Boris Johnson has welcomed news that Chinese mobile gaming company Rekoo is opening a London office as he continues his six-day trade mission to promote business and investment.

It will be the first mainland China firm to move to the Tech City cluster, based around Silicon Roundabout in Old Street.

Rekoo says it will initially hire 10 employees and expects to have 25 based in London within three years.

The Mayor of London has visited the 'forbidden city' in Beijing as part of his official trade tour of China. Boris Johnson is hoping to encourage billions of pounds of investment in the capital from Chinese businesses.

One such company is ABP, which is redeveloping the capital's Royal Albert Dock. Today the firm's boss told ITV News that the money coming from China was good for British society. Our China Correspondent Angus Walker reports.

Boris Johnson celebrated an agreement for British designer Thomas Heatherwick to build two Beijing underground stations by taking a trip on the network himself. London's Mayor said Britain remained competitive internationally in creative industries, like design and fashion.

Thomas Heatherwick, who designed the cauldron that featured in the London 2012 Olympics opening ceremony, could also be commissioned to build an entire line for Beijing's underground, which could include 15 to 20 stations.

The Mayor of London continues his six-day trade mission in China today in a drive to encourage closer business links with the UK capital.

It's Boris Johnson's first visit to the country since the Beijing Olympics in 2008.

China is now the world’s second largest economy, worth an estimated $8.2 trillion.

Chancellor George Osborne has said there will be a "streamlining and simplifying" of the visa system for Chinese nationals to head to the UK as he attempts to strengthen business ties with China.

He and London Mayor Boris Johnson have been touring Beijing and meeting with business leaders in an attempt to profit from China's interest in Britain and its culture and industry.

ITV News' China Correspondent Angus Walker reports from the city:

Chancellor George Osborne told students at Peking University that investment in each other's countries should not be seen as a threat but a great opportunity.

Boris Johnson reiterated this view telling ITV News that international investment should be encouraged.

ITV News' China Correspondent Angus Walker reports on why the Mayor is so keen on Chinese tourists visiting London.

Read: Chancellor's mission to make up lost ground and build bridges with China

Chancellor George Osborne joked that he and Boris Johnson are like "the yin and the yang" as they both continued their visit to China.

Read: Chancellor's mission to make up lost ground and build bridges with China

Asked about the timing of their trips which saw the Chancellor and London Mayor in China at the same time, Mr Johnson joked with Beijing students that they were like a "pair of harmonious doves".

The London Mayor was asked who was in charge and he replied: "We are representing our country. It's a nest of singing birds is how I would describe it. It's total harmony, there's probably some Chinese expression that completely perfectly culminates it."

The Chancellor intervened: "The yin and the yang."

Mr Johnson then turned to a Chinese student, asking: "The yin and the yang. What do you say for a harmonious, sounds like one of those Chinese fireworks, a harmonious dove or something like that? A pair of harmonious doves. What is that in Chinese?"

After she looked back blankly, Mr Osborne said: "I think she likes the yin and yang comparatively."

Read: Boris Johnson attempts to 'drum up trade' for London

Boris Johnson is meeting high-powered investors this afternoon, including those already pumping money into London.

Current investments in the capital by Chinese companies include a £700 million 5 star hotel scheme on the South London Nine Elms site, a large stake in the company that owns Thames Water and the £500 million pound reconstruction of the Crystal Palace.

Chinese companies are also backing the billion pound Chinese business district planned in the Docklands and have a £450 million stake in the holding company that owns Heathrow Airport.