Ding, whose 2016 world final loss to Mark Selby attracted an audience of 42 million back home, is once again the favoured challenger from Asia and faces a 29-year-old opponent appearing in just his third world championships.
There is certain to be two players from China or Hong Kong in the second round as veteran Marco Fu -- a two-time semi-finalist at the championships -- has been drawn against China's Lyu Haotian, who is the lowest ranked player in the draw at 68th in the world.
Thai challenger Thepchaiya Un-Nooh has a mammoth task in progressing as he faces Scotland's four-time world champion John Higgins whilst Australia's 2010 champion Neil Robertson plays journeyman English cuesman Robert Milkins.
Crowd favourite and five-time champion 'Rocket' Ronnie O'Sullivan has a tough first round encounter with Scotland's Stephen Maguire.
O'Sullivan, 42 and who is aiming to pull to within one of Scotsman Stephen Hendry all-time record of seven world crowns, beat Maguire in the semi-finals of both the UK Championship and World Grand Prix this term.
Their match gets underway on Saturday.
Two-time defending champion Selby begins the defence of his title on Saturday against fellow Englishman Joe Perry.
The championships at The Crucible Theatre run from Saturday to May 7.