Taipei: Taiwan's government has issued a measured response to the recent establishment of a local "revolutionary communist" organization, noting that the group has not officially registered as a political party and appears to function more as an intellectual society or "book club." According to Focus Taiwan, the Revolutionary Communist Party of Taiwan announced its formation on social media after holding a "founding party congress" on January 17-18. The group reportedly attracted "nearly 20" supporters from across Taiwan who attended the event in Taipei, as stated by the Revolutionary Communist International on its website, In Defense of Marxism. During a news conference, Liang Wen-chieh, deputy head and spokesman of the Mainland Affairs Council (MAC), Taiwan's premier agency for cross-strait affairs, remarked that the organization appears to follow the principles of Leon Trotsky. Liang explained that Trotskyists are known for adhering to "original Marxist ideals and humanism," which can be perceived as "s omewhat naïve." Historically, they have faced purges and arrests by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). Liang expressed doubt over the group becoming collaborators with Beijing, emphasizing that local collaborators of the CCP have historically been motivated by self-interest rather than ideology. He further mentioned that the Ministry of the Interior confirmed the group had not registered as a political party and was unlikely to do so given its revolutionary ambitions. Regarding the group's legality, Liang suggested adopting a cautious approach. "I think we can view [this organization] as an intellectual society, or even a book club," Liang stated, adding that as long as they abstain from illegal activities, they are free to continue their existence. Liang also highlighted that according to Constitutional Court Interpretation No. 644, issued in 2008, political parties in Taiwan can advocate for communism. Nevertheless, he pointed out that taking communism too seriously is also "intolerable" to the CCP.