Taiwan’s TV Series “Zero Day” – This is What a Chinese Invasion Might be Like

A new Taiwanese TV series, “Zero Day,” is capturing the imagination and fears of the nation as it dramatizes a possible Chinese invasion. The show, which has stirred significant emotions, offers a vivid portrayal of what such an invasion might entail, drawing on the island’s longstanding but increasingly tense relationship with China.

This is a very real possibility given that China has been reforming and consolidating its military for the past couple of years, with the specific intent of pulling Taiwan into China, militarily or otherwise. China has conducted almost continuous military exercises and has actually threatened death sentences for those who advocate Taiwanese independence. The Biden Administration has been lackluster in its support for Taiwan.

The trailer for “Zero Day,” released last month, paints a stark picture: a military blockade leads to panic, chaos, and riots, with foreign nationals scrambling for evacuation and residents rushing to withdraw cash. These scenes, though fictional, have resonated deeply with Taiwanese viewers, many of whom see them as a potential reality.

The series, a first of its kind in Taiwan, addresses the looming threat of an invasion by China’s People’s Liberation Army (PLA). While this threat has always been a part of Taiwan’s existence, it has become more pronounced as China grows more powerful and assertive under the Communist Party.

The 17-minute trailer has sparked significant reaction, garnering over a million views on YouTube. Comments like, “As a 21-year-old, I almost burst into tears when I watched it,” reflect the intense personal connections viewers feel. However, the series has also faced criticism, particularly from opposition politicians who accuse it of creating unnecessary panic and exaggerating the crisis.

Hsin-mei Cheng, the showrunner of “Zero Day,” created the series to address what she sees as a growing numbness among Taiwanese people to the threat of conflict. “Many avoid it or even pretend it doesn’t exist,” Cheng told CNN. The show aims to open this Pandora’s box and make the looming crisis a topic of national conversation.

The production of “Zero Day” was not an easy task. It required significant support, including from Taiwan’s government and military, which allowed filming in sensitive locations such as the Presidential Office Building and aboard a warship during routine drills. The series also received funding from Taiwan’s Ministry of Culture.

Despite the support, the creators maintain that “Zero Day” is not a piece of propaganda. “This is not a political propaganda video or patriotic film,” said Lo Ging-zim, one of the directors. The show enjoys a level of artistic freedom that would be impossible in mainland China or even in Hong Kong, where the film industry has faced increasing restrictions.

ACZ Staff: ‘Propaganda’ usually is produced in an environment where the population doesn’t realize it is being persuaded. While this is certainly political in nature, there is no doubt the agenda and it is clear the origin and the agenda. And, of course, the best “propaganda” is the truth.

Most of the series focuses on the psychological and informational aspects of warfare, rather than direct military combat. The storyline includes scenarios of cognitive warfare, disinformation campaigns, and the infiltration of Taiwanese society by Chinese agents. These elements highlight the subtle but pervasive ways in which conflict can affect daily life.

“Zero Day” has sparked a broad discussion about Taiwan’s future and the real threats it faces. Military expert Su Tzu-yun believes the series will be an important tool in countering China’s gray zone tactics, actions just below the threshold of war. The international release of the series, potentially on platforms like Netflix, could also help the world understand Taiwan’s unique and precarious situation.

While some fear that “Zero Day” might discourage tourism or portray the Taiwanese government as weak, the creators hope it will instead serve as a wake-up call. Cheng hopes the series will prompt Taiwanese people to think critically about their choices and freedoms.

“We will always believe, without choices, there’s no freedom. Without freedom, there’s no Taiwan,” says a line in the presidential address featured in the trailer. Cheng emphasizes that now is the time for the people of Taiwan to decide their future while they still can.

“Zero Day” aims to light a fire under Taiwanese society, encouraging a proactive stance against potential threats and fostering a spirit of resilience and unity in the face of adversity.

ACZ Staff: It can be difficult for a population that lives in comfort and freedom to envision anything that might be so drastic as to change their entire lives. Many, in fact, believe that life under Chinese Communist Party (CCP) rule wouldn’t be so different.

They are wrong.

Ask the people of Lebanon who lived through the turmoil of the 1980’s. Ask the people of Iran who lived through the transition from the Shah to Muslim rule. Ask the people of Hong Kong, whose freedoms are long gone and whose prosperity is slowly grinding down to the level of the rest of China, and whose opportunities have waned.

But Trump is right, if Taiwan won’t pay for its own defense, then perhaps it needs to earn its freedoms once again. It would be a tragic lesson.