Lin Chi-yuan understands more than most that "rocking out" can be a smart business strategy.

He and his wife discovered that the rocks scattered across the archipelago of Pingtan - also known as Haitan - off Fujian province produce uniquely different sounds when struck with hammers.

"So my colleagues and I began collecting rocks of various shapes and sizes from the mountains of Pingtan," Lin said at the 10th Straits Forum in the port city of Xiamen, Fujian. The weeklong event closed on Monday.

Pingtan consists of more than 100 islets and is known for its many rocky and treacherous cliffs.

But Lin has achieved solid business success on the main island, which is also a free trade zone about 126 kilometers from Taiwan.