After the U.S. government approved the Lockheed-Martin sale of Patriotic air defense missiles to Taiwan, China denounced the deal. Obama’s “face change” two months after his successful China visit was due to a joint lobbying by the government, the Congress, the Pentagon and defense contractors.
Several key players were named as key promoters for the missile sale: Lockheed-Martin CEO Robert Stevens, Senator John McCain, Deputy Secretary of Defense William Lynn, U.S.-Taiwan Business Council President Rupert Hmmond-Chambers and Taiwanese businessman Li Hua-Der.
The author believes that this deal triggered a red light to Sino-American relationship.
Source: International Herald Leader, January 18, 2010
http://news.xinhuanet.com/herald/2010-01/18/content_12828519.htm