First Official Chinese Language Website Launched to Promote London

The official Chinese-language website for London http://www.london.cn has been launched by The Mayor of London Boris Johnson, to boost London. The website was launched at a special event in the heart of Beijing’s 798 Art District, arranged by the London Universities International Partnership to mark the opening of its four-day pop-up installation ‘London: celebrating innovation’. Created by the 16 London universities especially for Beijing, the giant letters, which dominate the gallery, spell out the word LONDON.

London is set to break records again for Chinese visitors in a year, with the help of Chinese Language Website. The site will be the precise resource for prospective tourists and students, giving detailed and trustworthy advice and information to 600 million Chinese-speaking internet users.

The Mayor landed in Beijing just hours earlier, followed by a senior delegation representing London’s vibrant, innovative and world-leading business community. As well as Beijing, his six-day trip will see him visiting Shanghai and Hong Kong. The Mayor wants to produce closer ties with China, now the world’s second largest economy, worth an estimated $8.2 trillion.

The Mayor exhibited http://www.london.cn to an audience of 300 officials and delegates, alongside prime-time Chinese TV celebrity Meng Fei. Student services on the site include application advice tailored to Chinese candidates and full profiles of every University in London, including facts, testimonials and galleries.

The Mayor of London, Boris Johnson, said: “My mission on this visit is to strengthen the already impressive cultural, educational and business ties between China and London. We are already welcoming increasing numbers of Chinese tourists and students to the capital but we want to do all we can to ensure London is the first choice over competing global rivals. This welcoming new Chinese language website, providing a definitive guide to London’s attractions, is one way we are making it easier for potential visitors. ”

A recent Times Higher Education World Rankings poll declared that London has more excellent universities in the global top 40 than any other city. The number of Chinese people studying in London is rising, with a record 15,000 last year, making China London’s number one market for international students.

‘London is the world’s most multi-cultural city, its diversity gives Chinese students access to an important global network that will last them their lifetime and an international perspective that will be invaluable as they rise up their career ladder.’

Gordon Innes, CEO of London & Partners, the official promotional organization for London, said: “London is having a record year. The number of Chinese people visiting us has doubled in just three years, and risen by another third this year alone. More than 90% of Chinese visitors said they felt welcome on their trip to Britain, and 95% said they would recommend a trip to others. We designed http://www.london.cn to show how London’s attractions, restaurants, shops and great cultural heritage is ready and waiting for them. And this website is just the beginning of our renewed focus on attracting and serving Chinese visitors.”