TAIPEI, Taiwan — The United States has approved $2 billion in arms sales to Taiwan, including the first delivery to the self-ruled island of an advanced surface-to-air missile defense system, a move that sparked criticism of China.

Taiwan’s presidential office on Saturday thanked Washington for giving the green light to possible arms sales. Under the island’s new president, Lai Ching-te, Taiwan has stepped up its defense measures as China increased its military threats against the territory it claims as its own.

Beijing last week held military exercises encircling Taiwan for the second time since Lai took office in May.

The United States is Taiwan’s most powerful unofficial ally, and its laws require it to provide Taiwan with the means to defend itself.

“Strengthening Taiwan’s self-defense capabilities is the basis for maintaining regional stability,” Taiwan presidential spokesperson Karen Kuo said.

China criticized the move, saying it undermined its sovereignty and security interests, harmed U.S.-China relations and threatened peace across the Taiwan Strait, which separates China from Taiwan. .

“China strongly condemns and firmly opposes this and has lodged serious protests with the United States,” read a statement from a Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson.

The potential sales amount includes three National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile Systems (NASAMS) and associated equipment, valued at $1.16 billion, according to the U.S. State Department’s Bureau of Political-Military Affairs.

It also includes radar systems worth an estimated $828 million.