First it was an influx of Chinese restaurants in Kokkini Hani, Gouves, Hersonissos, Stalis and Malia – about a dozen in all.

Then, last year Chinese President Hu Jintao visited Crete and tried his hand at picking olives.

Now, the entire Asian country with a population of 1.3 billion people is being exposed to the benefits of Cretan and Greek holidays.

Several Chinese publications are promoting Greece and its islands as leading and secure tourist destinations.

For example, the Shanghai Weekly, in a two page article, described Greece as a prime honeymoon and religious pilgrimage destination, highlighting the excellent tourist infrastructure of Crete and Santorini.

The magazine Wine in China has dedicated 16 pages to wine produced in Greece's Ipiros and Macedonia provinces and includes a presentation of the townships with excellent traditions in wine-making.

And, in the February issue of Bizmode, Chinese couples planning to get married in the Year of the Ox were encouraged to plan their weddings in Greece, especially in a romantic setting in Crete or one of the other islands.