Chinese Ambassador to Dhaka Chai Xi yesterday expressed the view when he called on Prime Minister Khaleda Zia at her office.

Khaleda told the ambassador that Bangladesh is eagerly waiting to accord a warm welcome to the Chinese premier.

Jiabao arrives in Dhaka on April 7 on a two-day official visit to explore new windows of cooperation in trade, commerce and investment as well as in other bilateral issues.

The Chinese premier's visit is also significant, as the year 2005 marks the 30 years of Bangladesh-China diplomatic relations.

'Year of Friendship' will be observed simultaneously in Bangladesh and China to celebrate the three-decade Dhaka-Beijing relations. The celebration will be launched during Jiabao's visit.

Various programmes have been chalked out to observe the year in the two countries. These include a visit of a Chinese delegation of artistes to Dhaka on April 15-18 and photograph exhibition on Dhaka-Beijing relations.

The Chinese ambassador told Khaleda a comprehensive partnership would be established to work out ways to further expand and deepen the relations in all sectors.

Khaleda emphasised the need for quick launching of the Kunming-Chittagong air-link, which is expected to help increase investment, trade and business and enhance travels of people and tourists.

Bangladesh-China-Myanmar road-link is likely to feature prominently in discussions during Jiabao's visit, the ambassador said.

Khaleda sought Chinese assistance to development of Bangladesh's agriculture sector by providing variety of high-yielding seeds, transferring biotechnology and imparting training.

In response, Xi said Bangladesh has massive potentials in agriculture and Beijing would extend cooperation to realise the possibilities.