A growing number of young Chinese entrepreneurs are eyeing the UK when it comes to starting a business. Entrepreneur visas issued to Chinese nationals more than tripled in 2012 compared to the year before - a trend that appears to be picking up speed.
In this underground bar in east London Chinese entrepreneur Lesley Zhang is hosting an event for her start-up business.
Rentez Vous - a small company that originally started in Paris - allows women to swap clothes by "renting" items to other fashion conscious Londoners.
Lesley is one of a growing number of Chinese entrepreneurs choosing the UK to start their business - and says she was lured here by London’s thriving creative culture.
In 2012 the number of entrepreneur visas issued to the Chinese more than tripled to 84 - up from just 25 the year before. In the first 3-quarters of 2013, the figure is already higher, at 110.
If the entrepreneurs generate at least 5 million pounds of income or 10 permanent jobs in the UK - they can apply to settle here.
Mark Harper was Immigration Minister at the time of these rises - and insists the increases are not taking opportunities away from young British entrepreneurs.
He also believes the increase in Chinese entrepreneurs can work hand in hand with the government’s policy of cutting immigration from hundreds of thousands to tens of thousands.
Back at Rentez-Vous Lesley eventually wants to take her UK success back home.
Source: CCTV
