TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Communist clubs at Taiwan’s high schools are sparking discussion on social media and stirring fears of possible Chinese infiltration.
On Thursday, the Instagram account for a communist student group at Taipei’s Chien Kuo Senior High School shared a post indicating 39 schools in Taiwan have communist student groups on their campuses. The report comes at a time when the majority of Taiwanese believe Chinese efforts to infiltrate the country’s civil society are on the rise.
On its IG page, Chien Kuo Communist Party says that it has no affiliation with the Chinese Communist Party and that it does not support Beijing’s actions toward Taiwan. The group says that its only aim is to promote communist doctrine in Taiwan.
In addition to Chien Kuo Senior High School, UDN reported that similar groups have been formed at Cheng Kung Senior High, Yongchun Senior High, and Lishan Senior in Taipei, and at Kaohsiung’s Chung Shan Senior High.
Although some commenters speculate that many of the groups and social media accounts were formed for trolling purposes, the groups have allegedly formed an inter-school federation of Marxist and communist groups. The Mainland Affairs Council is reportedly reviewing the matter to consider if such a network breaks the law, reported PTS.
When asked about the issue, the council’s deputy director, Liang Wen-chieh (梁文傑) said, “It’s common for some young people to fantasize about communism, but the difference between theory and reality is vast. Young people should study how communist parties develop into totalitarian dictatorships.”
Chien Kuo Senior High said the club is not recognized by the school. The office will monitor for activity that goes against school policy, but added that students have the right to express political opinions and affiliations.
The Taipei Department of Education said it is aware of the clubs but that it will not interfere. However, the department warned that it is against school regulations for such groups to use a school’s official emblem without applying for permission, per UDN.
