London Mayor Boris Johnson launches london.cn in Beijing

On Sunday, Boris Johnson attended an event in Beijing's 798 art district showcasing London universities for Chinese students. He says the city has seen a surge in students from China in recent years. China has been expanding academic collaboration with London institutions, increasing knowledge in areas from paleontology to design.

London is going to new lengths to lure Chinese students. With everything from film and computer sciences to design and fossils.

"The number of Chinese students in London has gone up 149 percent since I've been Major, with more Chinese students in London than anywhere else. Why are we so lucky to have so many Chinese students? Is it because of the weather? The French restaurants? The communist bicycles. Well I think it's because - and I have no shame in comparative advertising here - she said when you go to America, you meet Americans, when you go to London, you meet the world." Johnson said

The launch of www.london.cn aims to boost Chinese university students in London further.

One example of Britain's economic cooperation with China is seen by fossils displayed by the Royal Veterinary College at the University of London. Working with Chinese anthropologists to bridge the transformation of dinosaurs into birds... Taking CT scans in London to bring them back to life.

"This project could not have happened without collaboration with Chinese paleontologists. They have a jaw dropping collection of fossils, filled gaps from 20 years ago... They've given us data, access to really important specimens and expertise in anatomy and we've contributed expertise in similar areas but also technology to reconstruct how they lived and how they evolved." Ph. D. John Hutchinson of University of London's Royal Veterinary College said.

Along with new joint paleontology discoveries, there's been growing cooperation to improve product designs in China.

"This is actually a steel project designed by a Chinese student for Chinese elderly people so they can assist themselves as opposed to having a career help them. Chinese designers are incredibly talented and incredibly skillful when it comes to tools of design... The British side is creative thinking, methods, so when you combine those things you get a very powerful mix." Charles Ingrey-Senn, managing director of CAIS Design said.

This sculpture made by a Chinese art graduate of London's Goldsmith University, has created a fountain that tracks the sounds of London. She says she chose to study in London because the university was more willing to take creative risks.

"This audio box is specifically designed to measure sound in London. Every few seconds this will change. Where we set this up is Big Ben, Chinatown, so what we see here is literally what is happening in London right now, so now it's 4am in London, you can see the water is rising, people are out having a kebab after clubbing. Some parts were made in London, some parts in China, so two universities are working together." British Chinese artist Aowen Jin said.