The debate on whether Taiwan should establish a sovereign fund has spanned over 20 years, and has resurfaced recently following President Lai Ching-te's definitive stance. Key concerns include the dedicated unit, the source of talent, and funding methods, with diverse opinions across sectors. Many experts believe that establishing a sovereign fund is feasible, but emphasize the need to first address legal issues and ensure the fund operates independently without political interference.

At today's symposium on the sovereign fund, hosted by Xu Jiadong, several experts including Wei Qilin, Xue Qi, and Li Tonghao presented their views, along with many industry, government, and academic experts participating in discussions. Li Tonghao pointed out that public trust in the government poses the greatest challenge to establishing a sovereign fund, noting that the previous National Development Fund is a similar entity but has faced criticism for lack of management mechanisms and poor investment performance.

Regarding the central bank's foreign exchange reserves, Xue Qi agreed that they should not be used for free, while arguing that utilizing budget surpluses as a source for the fund is impractical. Wei Qilin indicated that the timing for establishing the sovereign fund is ripe, suggesting that the government could raise funds by issuing special bonds or using fiscal surpluses.

Experts also recommended that the Executive Yuan should create relevant management guidelines to ensure the transparency and accountability of the fund's operations, fostering consensus and allowing representatives from various parties to participate in decision-making to avoid operational challenges.