A powerful 6.4-magnitude earthquake rocked southern Taiwan on Thursday, causing widespread damage and disrupting communications around the island. Local news reports said several people were injured.

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.

China suspended military exchange visits with the United States on Saturday in protest over $6.4 billion in planned US arms sales to Taiwan and warned the US ambassador that the sales would harm already strained ties.

China angrily summoned the US ambassador on Saturday and warned that a plan to sell $6.4 billion in arms to Taiwan would harm already strained ties. One Chinese expert said the sale would give Beijing a "fair and proper reason" to accelerate weapons testing.

China announced that its military intercepted a missile in mid-flight Monday in a test of new technology that comes amid heightened tensions over Taiwan and increased willingness by the Asian giant to show off its advanced military capabilities.