In a message on the eve of his April 7-8 official visit to Bangladesh, he extended cordial greetings and good wishes to the friendly Bangladeshi government and people.

Recalling Bangladesh's long history and splendid culture, the Chinese premier said that China and Bangladesh are traditionally good neighbours. "Our two peoples have been engaged in friendly exchanges since ancient times, just like the Yalu Tsangpo River and the Brahmaputra River sharing the same distant source and flowing endlessly."

Dwelling on historical events related to these two countries he added, "Xuan Zang, an eminent Chinese monk of the Tang Dynasty, lived and explained Buddhist scriptures in the Bengali region for seven years. The venerable Master Atisha Dipankar from Bengal resided in China's Tibet for 17 years during the Song Dynasty. They have left a story of lasting reputation in the history of friendly exchanges between China and Bangladesh."

Mentioning that this year marks the 30th anniversary of the Sino-Bangladesh diplomatic ties, Wen Jiabao said that over the past 30 years, "our bilateral relations have developed smoothly on the basis of the Five Principles of Peaceful Co-existence."

He said the two countries have witnessed constant exchange of high-level visits, expanded trade and economic cooperation, and strengthened cooperation in culture, education, science and technology, agriculture and other fields. "Our two countries have accorded each other understanding and support in international and regional affairs and become mutually trusted partners."

He said China and Bangladesh, both developing countries, are facing such common tasks as developing economy and improving the people's living standards.

The Chinese premier said that adhering to a foreign policy of "building friendship and partnership with neighbouring countries" and "fostering an amicable, peaceful and prosperous neighbourhood", China attaches importance to developing traditional friendship and mutually beneficial cooperation with Bangladesh.

"I hope that my visit will contribute to further promoting China-Bangladesh relations," Wen Jiabao said and sincerely wished the "industrious and talented Bangladeshi people" greater achievements in their grand cause of national development.

"May the friendship between our two peoples continue to grow and the cooperation between our two countries bear more new fruits," he added.