Architecture minister John Penrose used a speech to Chinese business leaders to heap praise on British architects, engineers and contractors.

He said Britain had one of the best pools of talent at all stages of urban design from drawing board to completion.

Penrose spoke of a “galaxy of examples studded around the globe” of wonderful and wholly British architecture and engineering.

He singled out the Rosenthal Center for Contemporary Art in Cincinnati by Zaha Hadid and the Yokohama International Port Terminal in Japan by the now-disbanded Foreign Office Architects as well as many schemes in China.

Closer to home he also praised the Olympic Park - the reason most of the audience was in London.

“We have what I think will become some iconic buildings which will last and stay the test of time designed by an extraordinary selection of architects and executed by an extraordinary selection of engineering firms.

“There’s some truly outstanding architecture there, things this country and the world, I hope, will remember and be proud of for a very long time to come.”

Penrose went on to talk up Britain’s ability to cope with complex brownfield sites involving decisions about which aspects of our heritage to retain.

He mentioned the redevelopment of Kings Cross and St Pancras as a prime example of British skill, ingenuity and cultural sensitivity.

He was speaking at the British Business Embassy in Lancaster House where the UKTI is hosting 17 business summits during the Games in a bid to win overseas contracts.