Businesspeople from both Chinese mainland and Taiwan expect improved cross-Straits cooperation in developing free trade zones, according to executives at an industry exposition in Xiamen.

In the face of global economic and trade liberalization, developing FTZs has become a common theme in both regions, said Chan Hou-sheng, chairman of Taipei-based Cross-Straits Common Market Foundation, at the 18th China Xiamen Machinery &Electronics Exhibition, which concluded on Tuesday.

"Both the Shanghai FTZ and Taiwan's free economic pilot zone indicate new business opportunities for enterprises on both sides of the Straits, and it is urgent for the two sides to begin cooperation," Chan said.