The two presidents will "exchange views on cross-Strait issues" Ma's spokesmanCharles Chen said Tuesday, referring to the stretch of water separating mainlandChina and Taiwan.

The intention of the visit is to "secure cross-Strait peace," but no agreement will be signed, he said.

China confirmed the meeting in a short dispatch on the state Xinhua news agencyearly Wednesday, saying the two sides would "exchange views on promoting the peaceful development of cross-Strait relations".

The surprise meeting follows a gradual warming of relations with Beijing since Ma of the China-friendly Kuomintang (KMT) came to power in 2008.

Ma will step down next year after a maximum two terms and the main oppositionChina-sceptic Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) is expected to win the presidential election in January.

A senior DPP spokesman has told local media the party would not comment until further details of the visit were released.

The KMT suffered its heaviest-ever local election defeat last year, with its China-friendly strategy a major factor.

But Ma has repeatedly defended his China-friendly policies, saying they have brought stability to the region.