BEIJING, Dec. 13 (Xinhua) -- The Chinese mainland has urged the Taiwan Authorities to remove obstacles to cross-Strait financial cooperation and exchanges as the mainland was opening financial markets by the end of this year under its commitments to the World Trade Organization (WTO).

"Don't give other business people steal a march on Taiwan," warned Li Weiyi, spokesman of the State Council Taiwan Affairs Office, on Wednesday. "Opportunities and time wait for nobody."

Li said the mainland had held a persistent and positive attitude towards the issue, and he hoped the Taiwan side would also adopt a positive attitude.

Business people from Taiwan had been calling strenuously for cross-Strait financial cooperation and exchanges, Li said.