Former Taiwan President Ma Ying-jeou arrived in Beijing on Sunday evening. Arrangements are reportedly underway for Ma to meet Chinese President Xi Jinping during his stay in the capital.

Ma has been visiting China since April 1. He is scheduled to stay in Beijing through Thursday.

Ma, who belongs to Taiwan's largest opposition Kuomintang party, met with Xi in Singapore in 2015. Ma was in office at that time. It was the first-ever meeting between the leaders of the two sides.

Ma also became the first former president of Taiwan to set foot in China last year.

Sources say arrangements are being made for a meeting between Ma and Xi, and there is information that the two will meet on Wednesday.

Before departing for China, Ma said, "Amid the tense situation in the Taiwan Strait, we will convey the message that the Taiwanese people love peace, and wish for exchanges across the strait, and to avoid war."

Observers say that if a meeting takes place, Xi's comments may indicate his stance toward the administration of Lai Ching-te of the Democratic Progressive Party. Lai will assume the presidency of Taiwan in May.

Observers say Xi may aim to give the impression that China is making efforts to ease regional tensions, if he meets Ma.

The situation in Taiwan is expected to be discussed when the leaders of Japan and the US hold a summit in Washington on Wednesday.