He may be on a mission to get the Chinese to buy into London, but Boris Johnson still had time on Wednesday (October 16) to see how one very British business was faring in Shanghai.

The Mayor of London toured the largest Marks & Spencer in the Chinese financial hub, in a five-day China tour which aims to capitalise on investors' increasing interest in the British capital.

Johnson strolled around with M&S CEO Marc Bolland, chatted to a British customer, struggled into a blazer as cameras snapped and nibbled a snack or two.

Out on the street below the M&S logo, Johnson said he was excited to be back in mainland China's most glamorous city.

"I haven't been here for seven years. It's absolutely incredible. It's growing in a wonderful way and I think that it's fantastic news about the investment that the Shanghai Pudong Development Bank is making in London now. They're bringing a branch to London. But it's also so great so see a brand like Marks & Spencer, which is something I grow up with all my life, here in Shanghai. A real sign of the strengthening of economic ties between London and Shanghai," he said.

London has seen a series of large investments from China in recent months, and Johnson has made it clear he wants to see more.

A Chinese billionaire announced plans to spend £500 million rebuilding Crystal Palace and Wanda, China's largest commercial real estate developer, plans a billion-dollar, 160-room hotel and an apartment building in the city's centre.

Johnson's trip has coincided with one by Britain's Chancellor George Osborne, amid speculation that both men are angling to be future leader of the Conservative Party.

Johnson's trip has also taken him to the capital, Beijing, and will continue on to the former British colony of Hong Kong before he leaves for the UK on Friday (October 18).

Presented by Adam Justice