Tourists to Taiwan have expressed their appreciation for the relative calm of the population in light of the dangers coming from the island. However, talking about a Chinese Communist war and invasion of the island region has been pretty much a historically taboo area, avoided on TV, in movies, in publications, and abroad.
Advertisement
The Taiwanese population is becoming increasingly concerned about Beijing fulfilling its promise to reunite its “wayward” province as threats from the mainland become more specific and China’s navy and air force make aggressive moves in the Taiwan Straits.
In November, primary filming will wrap on” Zero Day”, a 10-part series that portrays what an attack by China might look like — a first for Taiwanese television.
What was once taboo has evolved into a niche sector. A novel about the Chinese taking control of the world has been published. There’s a graphic novel that sees Donald Trump sending the U. S. Navy to help repel an invasion,  ,
How well-known are these post-apocalyptic media outlets? A YouTube trailer for” Zero Days” has gotten more than 4 million subscribers. On the day in July when the trailer was released, there was a real air raid warning, a not-infrequent occurrence, with the Chinese air force buzzing the island on a regular basis.
I was glued to my seat for the 16-minute trailer.
A shorter version of the trailer.
” Taiwan does not lack]film ] themes, but it does lack people who dare to act. I pay tribute to all the performers”, said one commenter.
Advertisement
Every scene in these 17 minutes is actually very close to our hearts as a 21-year-old, which made me almost cry when I watched this. Maybe one day in the future, these plots will actually happen. Taiwanese people must protect this nation”, wrote another commenter.
Cheng Hsin-mei, producer and lead scriptwriter on’ Zero Day,’ said that public attitudes about what it means to be Taiwanese are changing. They are beginning to embrace their Taiwanese identity rather than view themselves as a part of the mainland. If China ever invades the island, this may have an impact on its defense.
The plot of the show takes place in Taiwan as a result of a suspected Chinese aircraft downing that prompts Beijing’s People’s Liberation Army to impose a blockade. Foreign governments begin evacuating their citizens as the stock market crashes. Chinese agents enter Taiwan and plot to free prisoners, creating a fifth column that causes chaos as Chinese troops make their way to the front lines.
In the past, such a series would have been impossible to succeed, Cheng said, because prominent figures in Taiwan’s entertainment sector were too concerned about being sacked in China, where the market is much larger. However, as Taipei’s relationship with Washington gets closer, China has grown more aggressive toward Taiwan.  ,
Cheng said,” The Chinese dream that everyone in the past had is not as strong as it is now.”  ,
Advertisement
Lai Ching-te, Taiwan’s president, has cautiously endorsed the Taiwanese identity, always making sure to not offender Beijing or give it any reason to fulfill its threats. His government has contributed about$ 3 million to the$ 7 million production costs for the TV series.
I hope the series will eventually be broadcast in the United States. Support and sympathy for Taiwan’s plight would result from a series of images highlighting its struggles to maintain its independence.