Taiwan's top China negotiator said on Monday that the US decision to sell $6.4 billion in arms to the island will not affect steadily improving ties between Taipei and Beijing.

Chiang Pin-kung's comments came amid strong Chinese protests against the planned American sales, which were announced in late January.

Reacting to the deal, China suspended military exchanges with Washington and threatened sanctions against US defense companies making weapons available to Taiwan. However, China did not criticize Taipei over the issue.

Taiwan and China split amid civil war in 1949. Beijing continues to claim the island as part of its territory. It regards US arms sales to Taiwan as unacceptable interference in its internal affairs.

Speaking to reporters on Monday, Chiang said arms procurement from the US is long-standing Taiwanese policy.

The latest arms package "should not have any impact on ongoing China talks and the future development of bilateral ties," he said.

Since Taiwanese President Ma Ying-jeou took office in May 2008, he has moved aggressively to improve relations with China, jettisoning his predecessor's pro-independence policies.