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They included students and faculty as well as businesspeople, tourists, and people visiting friends and family.

Sir Richard said: "I still think it's a good time to start in the UK and... if we businesspeople can generate enough income for the UK, then taxes will start going down for people."

But Guo also had connections to a number of wealthy Chinese businesspeople.

Saccussa - a group representing South African businesspeople living in the US - said most of those who expressed interest in migrating were aged between 25 and 45 and had between two and three dependants.

Kinov and other Malibu businesspeople said their spirits have been lifted by customers who made a special effort to buy extra meals or gifts.