Some viewed the move from Vice-Premier to Foreign Minister as a demotion. Lien just laughs and says, "I am a government officer; if I can be of service to the country then any post is fine."
對外界認為他以副揆身分出任外長是「降調」的說法，連戰一笑置之：「我是政務官，只要是為國家服務，在那個工作崗位都一樣！」