Vice-President Xi Jinping's Latin American visit may be best remembered for the outburst when he lashed out at a 'small pocket' of foreigners for pointing fingers at China.
But mainland officials will surely hope Mr Xi, the designated heir of President Hu Jintao, made a different impression internationally.
Vice-Foreign Affairs Minister Li Jinzhang told Xinhua yesterday that Mr Xi's tour was fruitful and solid, referring to the 60 contracts and co-operation agreements China signed with the countries he visited during his 15-day tour.
Mr Xi wrapped up his tour of Jamaica, Colombia, Venezuela and China's two biggest trading partners in the region, Brazil and Mexico, on Sunday.
Mr Li said Mr Xi's tour had 'a good effect and profound political impact' as China took advantage of its relatively stable economic growth to strengthen ties with countries that had been overshadowed by the global economic downturn.
The trip by Mr Xi was also a concrete measure by China to discuss with developing countries how to weather the economic crisis, he said.