London Tuesday kicked-off the two-year countdown to the 2012 Olympic Games at the UK Pavilion of the Shanghai Expo, infusing the Expo grounds with the spirit of the Games.

"Beijing gave the Olympic flag to us, but it also gave us the challenge to put on the best sporting spectacle in the world," Richard Barnes, deputy mayor of London said in an interview before the countdown.

"We can learn from Beijing about how to treat our visitors when they come to the Games," he said.

"The UK's dynamism and creativity are exemplified by the striking pavilion and our goal will be to help drum up potential business opportunities and to persuade Expo visitors and exhibitors to make London their next stop," he said.

London is hosting a week of seminars and workshops from the 26th to 30th at the Shanghai Expo Park, with representatives from London and Shanghai to exchange ideas about low carbon initiatives and sustainable urban design.