China’s New Spy Drama Frames Cross-Strait Tensions as National Security Threat

A new Chinese spy drama titled Jiaofeng, or The Long Watch, has rapidly climbed the ratings charts since its premiere in early September. The series, which is co-produced with the Ministry of State Security, presents a fictionalized account of intelligence operations and double agents spanning two decades, beginning in the mid-1990s. By blending real geographical locations like Taipei with invented characters, the show directly addresses the complex and often sensitive history of relations between Beijing and the island.

According to data from the Chinese entertainment provider Maoyan, the series surpassed 50 million views across various digital platforms within just one week of its launch. It also secured the top spot in prime-time drama ratings on China Central Television on multiple occasions. This level of popularity suggests a significant audience appetite for narratives that depict cross-strait espionage, a subject that has traditionally been handled with more caution in mainland media.

State-Backed Narrative Construction

The production of the series involves direct collaboration with state security officials, who reportedly provided case files and interviews with retired officers to inform the script. The drama portrays Chinese state security personnel as heroes defending the nation against infiltration, while depicting Taiwan’s intelligence services as adversaries capable of stealing sensitive military information. This framing aligns with official Chinese positions that view the island as an integral part of the territory.

Li Fu-chung, a historian at Taiwan’s National Chengchi University, notes that such productions are essentially creating a specific historical narrative through dramatic format. He suggests that this approach can influence public perception not only within China but potentially in Taiwan as well. By emphasizing patriotism and contrasting loyal officials with those portrayed as traitors, the series reinforces a clear moral binary regarding national allegiance.

Direct References to Historical Figures

One of the most notable aspects of Jiaofeng is its willingness to reference real political figures and events. The first episode opens with a news report criticizing remarks made by Lee Teng-hui, who served as Taiwan’s president and is viewed by Beijing as a separatist. His visit to the United States in the 1990s sparked significant military tensions, including missile tests and the deployment of US aircraft carriers.

Chinese viewers on social media platforms like Weibo have described the series as unusually bold for its directness. Many expressed surprise and excitement at the explicit mention of Lee and the detailed depiction of espionage activities. This reaction highlights a shift in the type of political content deemed acceptable for mass consumption on mainstream television, signaling a potential change in how historical and contemporary political issues are presented to the public.

Context in Ongoing Media Trends

Jiaofeng is not the first state-backed spy drama to explore cross-strait relations. Last year, a series titled Silent Honor, also produced with guidance from the Ministry of State Security, depicted espionage against the backdrop of the end of the Chinese civil war. These productions form part of a broader trend of increasing state involvement in the media sector to shape historical memory and current political discourse.

As new episodes continue to be released, analysts will likely continue to examine how closely the fictional plot mirrors real-world intelligence activities. The growing popularity of such dramas suggests that there is a substantial audience base for stories that frame geopolitical tensions through the lens of personal intrigue and national duty. This trend may have implications for how cross-strait relations are perceived by the general public in the coming years.