Chinese financial institutions are making great strides in London, a place where they can compete and learn alongside the best of their respective industries in their internationalization process, says Maggie Zhao, a partner in the London office of Clifford Chance LLP, a global law firm.

One of the prime movers in this process is the Chinese government's willingness to support liberalization of China's financial industry and the internationalization of Chinese banks and other financial institutions, Zhao says.

Another is the United Kingdom's open and welcoming attitude toward Chinese investment, she says.