In order to help Taiwan "stand up and move forward," increase its international visibility, and strengthen its international ties, every fall since the year 2000 President Chen has visited a number of countries with which Taiwan has diplomatic relations in Central and South America and in Africa. These trips have also provided him with the opportunity to visit the United States and to conduct "transit diplomacy." Chen's third trip this year yielded particularly good results, raised Taiwan's prominence on the international stage following several years of diplomatic setbacks, and boosted his popularity at home.

As soon as he landed in New York on October 31, Chen went to the Manhattan apartment of the late first lady Soong Mei-ling and presented an ROC national flag and official commendation to members of her family. Immediately afterward, he went to the evening's main event to receive the 2003 Human Rights Award from the International League for Human Rights and deliver a 30-minute speech.

Founded in 1941, the International League for Human Rights is the world's oldest non-profit NGO, as well as one of the original advocates for the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Since it was first bestowed, its annual Human Rights Award has been considered the highest honor by international human rights fighters, including former recipients such as South Africa's former president Nelson Mandela, South Korea's former president Kim Dae-Jung, and Tibet's spiritual leader the Dalai Lama. President Chen Shui-bian was presented with this year's award to honor his strong opposition to authoritarian government early in his political career, his contribution to Taiwan's transition to a democratic pluralist system, his establishment of the National Human Rights Commission, and other achievements since he became president. The award is a recognition of Chen's personal accomplishments and a strong international affirmation of Taiwan's many years of political reform and democratic liberalization.

In his acceptance speech, President Chen stressed that Section 2 of the Taiwan Relations Act, passed by the US Congress in 1979, states that "The preservation and enhancement of the human rights of all the people on Taiwan are hereby reaffirmed as objectives of the United States." President Chen also thanked the American government and the international community for their efforts over many years to promote human rights in Taiwan.

Chen Shui-bian also stressed that since he became president three years ago, his goal has been to build Taiwan on a foundation of human rights, and that to ensure a long period of democratic peace and order and to break through the current constitutional bottleneck, he advocates "speeding up the birth of a new Taiwanese constitution." This proposal does not affect the "five no's" policy commitment President Chen made during his inauguration speech in the year 2000 (promising that he would not declare independence, change the official name of the country, push for the inclusion of the "state-to-state" description in the constitution, or promote a referendum to change the status quo with regard to the question of independence or unification), and neither does it need to lead to a decisive struggle over the question of unification or independence. President Chen expressed his wish that everyone would calmly allow Taiwan's democratic system to become better and more workable.

On November 2, President Chen went on to Panama to attend the celebrations to mark the 100th anniversary of Panama's independence, to sign a free trade agreement between the ROC and Panama, and to exchange diplomatic letters with President Mireya Moskoso. President Chen then flew on to Alaska, where he spent the most relaxing day of his trip accompanied by Governor Frank Murkowski and Therese Shaheen, chairwoman of the American Institute in Taiwan, riding a train that afforded an enjoyable view of the arctic scenery.

Looking back at President Chen's foreign visit, the trip on the whole was unprecedented in terms of the honor and courteous reception that were extended to him.

Compared to Lee Teng-hui, who during his presidency was not allowed to deplane while in transit in Hawaii, and to Chen's own experience last year, when he was barred from making public statements to the media, this time round President Chen Shui-bian was welcomed with unusual hospitality, although the United States did not officially change its policy regarding visits from Taiwanese officials. President Chen was not only allowed to give interviews to the media, and to make a speech that contained a political message, but he also met face to face with US secretary of state Colin Powell and exchanged greetings with him. It is worth noting that this is the first time since the US and Taiwan broke off diplomatic relations, that Taiwan has achieved such a significant diplomatic breakthrough.