A new show called "Zero Day Attack" is making waves in Taiwan. This 10-part series explores a hypothetical Chinese invasion of Taiwan and the chaos that could follow. It premieres this week and is partly funded by the Taiwan Ministry of Culture. The creators hope it will raise awareness about the serious threat Taiwan faces from China.
The show’s title refers to a type of cyber attack that exploits hidden vulnerabilities in systems. This theme is fitting, given the growing concerns among Taiwanese citizens about their country’s readiness for conflict. Many hope the series will spark conversations about what actions they should take if such a situation were to arise.
After watching the first episode at the premiere in Taipei, engineer Blair Yeh expressed hope that the show would encourage more public discussion on the topic. The series opens with a dramatic scenario: a Chinese plane disappears over Taiwanese waters, leading to a blockade by the People’s Liberation Army. This sets off a chain reaction, including stock market crashes and civil unrest, as citizens debate whether to resist or accept Chinese control.
Despite the serious subject matter, Taiwanese producers have historically shied away from tackling this issue, fearing backlash from China. In fact, more than half of the crew chose to remain anonymous, and some even withdrew from the project due to safety concerns. Producer Cheng Hsin-mei explained that she had wanted to create this show for years but felt the timing wasn’t right until now. The ongoing war in Ukraine motivated her to finally bring it to life.
Cheng noted a shift in public sentiment, saying that while many Taiwanese may appear calm, there is an underlying fear of the threat posed by China. This premiere comes at a time when China has been sending clear signals of its intentions toward Taiwan. U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth recently stated that a Chinese invasion could be on the horizon.
The U.S. has a long-standing commitment to help Taiwan defend itself, as outlined in the Taiwan Relations Act of 1979. However, this does not obligate the U.S. to intervene militarily. In response to the growing tensions, the U.S. and 19 allied nations are conducting joint military exercises in the Pacific, which are the largest since World War II.
"Zero Day Attack" will also be available for American audiences on Amazon Prime starting August 15, coinciding with the 80th anniversary of Japan’s surrender in World War II. As tensions in the region rise, this show may serve as a crucial reminder of the potential realities Taiwan could face in the future.
