Taiwan's former president Ma Ying-jeou is visiting China from Monday. The focus is on whether he will meet with President Xi Jinping.

This comes as Taiwan's president-elect from the ruling Democratic Progressive Party is set to take office next month.

Before departing, Ma expressed his desire for better cooperation with Beijing.

Ma said, "Amid the tense situation in the Taiwan Strait, we will convey the message that we Taiwanese people love peace, and wish for exchanges across the strait, and to avoid war. This trip is a journey of both peace and friendship at the same time."

The 11-day trip is scheduled to run through April 11th.

The former president is expected to visit Guangdong and Shaanxi provinces, as well as Beijing.

Ma is with the opposition Kuomintang party, which observers say pursues a conciliatory approach toward China.