An advance team from Beijing is now in the capital laying the groundwork for the Chinese premier's planned visit.

Jiabao will attend the Asian Cooperation Dialogue (ACD) in Islamabad on April 5-6. After the ACD meeting, he will come to Dhaka on the second leg of his four-nation tour of South Asia.

Jiabao is also likely to visit Sri Lanka and India.

"It's the new Chinese leadership's political socialisation trip to South Asia," the official said asking not to be identified.

Jiabo's visit marks the 30 years of diplomatic relations between Bangladesh and China.

Prime Minister Khaleda Zia may undertake a return visit to China towards the end of this year.

Earlier, Zhu Rongji visited Dhaka as the Chinese the prime minister on January 12, 2002, followed by a return visit by Khaleda the same year.