James Bond has been a wanted man by countries around the globe for years - except one.

Until now, China had never entertained a portrayer of 007, but Daniel Craig became the first when he walked down the red carpet for the premiere of Casino Royale in the nation yesterday.

Craig and girlfriend Satsuki Mitchell smiled for the cameras and signed autographs for fans throughout the day.

Although the film franchise spans 44 years, it is the first of 21 Bond films to be approved by Chinese censors, which allows fewer than two dozen foreign films to be officially released each year.

"I'm very excited to be in Beijing, and particularly to be able to bring Bond here for the very first time," Craig said.

The censors probably didn't allow reports of Isaac Cohen and his panty raid to be played in the country, either.

Meanwhile, both Craig and co-star Eva Green have been nominated for Britain's version of the Academy Awards, the BAFTAs, with winners due to be announced on Feb. 11 in London.