From TV series to board games, Taiwan’s entertainment industry tackles the taboo of invasion.

  • Taiwan’s entertainment industry is embracing themes of a potential Chinese invasion.
  • The series ‘Zero Day’ is the first of its kind, depicting a fictionalized attack by China.
  • Rising geopolitical tensions and China’s authoritarianism are driving this cultural shift.
  • Creators hope this trend will help Taiwan prepare for potential conflict.
  • A board game called ‘2045’ simulates a Chinese military operation against Taiwan.

In Taiwan, the fear of a potential Chinese invasion has long been a topic of speculation and imagination. However, the local entertainment industry is now breaking its silence on this sensitive subject. A groundbreaking 10-part series titled ‘Zero Day’ is set to wrap filming in November, marking the first time Taiwanese television will portray a fictionalized attack by China. The early preview of the series has already garnered over a million views on YouTube, sparking discussions across local media. nnThis new wave of content includes a dystopian novel envisioning a future Taiwan under Beijing’s rule, a graphic novel featuring a U.S. response to an invasion, and a board game that allows players to simulate resisting a Chinese attack. Historically, Taiwan has maintained a calm demeanor in the face of threats from its authoritarian neighbor, which claims the self-ruled island as its own. For decades, the entertainment industry avoided these themes, but recent geopolitical tensions and China’s military pressure have prompted a change in public sentiment. nnCheng Hsin-mei, the producer and lead scriptwriter of ‘Zero Day,’ notes that while Taiwanese people may appear unconcerned, there is an underlying fear of invasion. This shift in perspective is seen as a response to rising tensions and a growing sense of Taiwanese identity separate from China. The series, which unfolds during a presidential transition in Taiwan, depicts a scenario where a suspicious incident leads to a blockade by China’s military, causing chaos and panic. nnThe Taiwanese government has supported the project with significant funding, reflecting a willingness to confront the potential threat from China. Critics have labeled the series as propaganda, but Taiwan’s Culture Minister Li Yuan argues that facing fears is essential for a healthy society. nnIn addition to ‘Zero Day,’ creators like Liang Shao-hsien are exploring military themes through graphic novels, while KJ Chang has developed a board game called ‘2045,’ where players navigate a simulated Chinese military operation against Taiwan. This surge in invasion-related content is seen as a response to increasing Chinese aggression and the uncertainty surrounding Taiwan’s future. As the geopolitical landscape continues to evolve, the trend of confronting the possibility of invasion is likely to persist in Taiwan’s cultural narrative.·

Factuality Level: 7
Factuality Justification: The article provides a detailed overview of the cultural response in Taiwan to the threat of a Chinese invasion, highlighting various media projects and public sentiment. While it presents a range of perspectives, including some criticism of the government’s involvement in these projects, it does contain some subjective interpretations and opinions that could be seen as biased. Additionally, the article could benefit from more concrete data or sources to support some claims, but overall, it remains informative and relevant to the topic.·
Noise Level: 7
Noise Justification: The article provides a detailed exploration of the cultural response in Taiwan to the threat of a Chinese invasion, highlighting various forms of media that reflect this shift. It includes insights from creators and cultural observers, which adds depth to the analysis. However, while it touches on important themes, it lacks a critical examination of the broader implications and potential consequences of these narratives, which slightly diminishes its overall analytical rigor.·
Public Companies: Democratic Progressive Party (), Academia Sinica ()
Private Companies: Mizo Games
Key People: Cheng Hsin-mei (Producer and Lead Scriptwriter of ‘Zero Day’), Wang Yung-an (Artist), Li Yuan (Culture Minister), Jaw Shau-kong (Recent Vice-Presidential Candidate for the Nationalist Party), Liang Shao-hsien (Comic Book Artist), KJ Chang (Founder of Mizo Games), Wen Liu (Social Psychologist and Associate Research Fellow at Academia Sinica), Chu Yu-hsun (Writer)

Financial Relevance: Yes
Financial Markets Impacted: Yes
Financial Rating Justification: The article discusses the impact of geopolitical tensions between Taiwan and China, which can significantly affect financial markets, particularly in defense and technology sectors. The mention of a potential stock market crash and the evacuation of foreign governments indicates a direct impact on financial markets. Additionally, the funding from Taiwan’s Ministry of Culture for the series suggests government investment in cultural projects, which can influence local economies.·
Presence Of Extreme Event: No
Nature Of Extreme Event: No
Impact Rating Of The Extreme Event: No
Extreme Rating Justification: The article discusses cultural responses and media portrayals related to the potential threat of a Chinese invasion of Taiwan, but it does not report on an actual extreme event that has occurred in the last 48 hours.·
Move Size: No market move size mentioned.
Sector: All
Direction: Up
Magnitude: Medium
Affected Instruments: Stocks

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