TAIPEI – The United States has approved $2 billion worth of arms sales to Taiwan, including the first delivery to the self-governing island of an advanced surface-to-air missile defense system, in a move that will anger China.

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

Beijing last week took place war games surrounding Taiwan for the second time since Lai took office in May.

The US is Taiwan’s strongest unofficial ally, and its laws required it to provide Taiwan with the means to defend itself.

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

The potential sales package includes three National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile Systems (NASAMS) and related equipment valued at up to $1.16 billion, according to the US State Department’s Office of Political-Military Affairs.

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

The Chinese government did not immediately comment on the potential arms sales.

The NASAMS system has been combat-tested in Ukraine and will help strengthen the air defense capabilities of the Taiwanese military, Taiwan’s Ministry of Defense said.

China’s war games last week were aimed at practicing “isolation of ports and key areas” around Taiwan, according to Chinese officials. Taiwan counted a record total for one day of 153 aircraft, 14 naval vessels and 12 Chinese government vessels.