Many scholars in the ROC believe that, with year-end mayoral / county magistrate and supplementary Legislative Yuan elections and the election of the president early next year, a successful trip could be beneficial to the reputation of the ruling party as well as of President Lee.
國內許多政治觀察家認為，年底就是縣市長、增額立委的選戰，明年二、三月更有總統大選，如果李總統出訪順利成功，必能對執政黨及他個人的聲勢大有裨益。