Taiwan¡¯s main opposition leader will make a rare trip to China on Tuesday, weeks before U.S. President Donald Trump, with Beijing expected to use the visit to increase its influence over the democratic island.

Cheng Li-wun, who will become the first sitting chairperson of the Kuomintang (KMT) to travel to China in a decade, said she wants to meet Chinese President Xi Jinping to build cross-strait ¡°peace.¡±

Taiwanese officials and experts, however, say Xi sees an opportunity to reinforce Cheng¡¯s standing in the KMT and stymie further U.S. weapons sales to Taiwan.