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Part of the “Day Zero” drama is helping Taiwan confront an increasingly credible situation. Others say the deployment is alarmist and a tool of the government.
By Chris Buckley and Amy Chang Dog
Reporting from Taipei, Taiwan
This weekend, on the side street in front of the presidential palace in Taipei, Taiwan’s worst nightmare unfolded in front of film crews. A host of actors and extras enacted the kind of chaos that might accompany a Chinese invasion: an escalating protest. in violence and bloodshed.
The scene being filmed was from “Day Zero,” a new Taiwanese television series depicting China’s efforts to take over the democratically governed island. Beijing has long claimed Taiwan as its territory and has suggested that it peacefully conform to China’s sovereignty. Chinese leader Xi Jinping said he would not rule out being absorbed by force.
“Zero Day” may not air until next year, but it has already sparked heated debates in Taiwan after a trailer was released. Supporters of the series say it could inspire a much-needed verbal exchange about the risk China poses. Critics have called it alarmist.
Cheng Hsin-mei, the maker of “Day Zero,” said she wanted to shake Taiwanese out of what she sees as widespread complacency and reluctance about the option of war.
“How would each and every person approach a war, how would they approach that option? No one is communicating that,” Ms. Cheng, who is also one of the show’s main writers, said in an interview. Communicate it, because I think it is the biggest concern at the core of each and every Taiwanese. ”
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