It not only sparked a burst of interest in foreign affairs in Taiwan, but also allowed President Chen to put his charisma on display overseas. Shortly after President Chen's return, Vice-President Annette Lu also traveled to Central America. It seems as if the government is off and running on "head-of-state" diplomacy right at the beginning of its four-year term in office.
這項出訪行程不只在國內掀起一股外交熱，也將阿扁個人的魅力延燒到國外；而緊接著又是呂秀蓮副總統的出訪，阿扁之旅似乎已為執政黨四年的「元首外交」揭開序幕。