A mainland Chinese film advocating for the reunification of Taiwan with the mainland has encountered unexpected opposition, casting doubt on its release despite official support. The historical feature, titled "The Belief," centers on the 1683 Battle of Penghu, when Qing dynasty forces under Admiral Shi Lang defeated the Kingdom of Tungning in Taiwan, bringing the island under Qing rule.

Promotional materials for the movie have included the slogan "The reunification of Taiwan is unstoppable," underscoring a theme closely aligned with Beijing’s longstanding policy on Taiwan. Co-produced by the propaganda department of the Fujian provincial committee of the Chinese Communist Party, the film initially appeared to enjoy strong official backing. The state broadcaster CCTV released the first trailer in October 2025 during commemorations marking 80 years since Taiwan's return to Chinese rule following Japanese occupation.

However, the film’s future became uncertain after a second trailer in May 2026 announced a planned release to coincide with the anniversary of the first Sino-Japanese War’s outbreak, a conflict resulting in Qing China ceding Taiwan to Japan in 1895. The scheduled premiere did not proceed, and the China Film Administration has not issued a public screening permit for the film—a required approval for theatrical release in the mainland. No explanation has been given by the filmmakers or authorities for the delay.

The controversy stems largely from criticism by nationalist groups on social media, notably from Han Chinese nationalists who oppose the film's portrayal of the Qing dynasty. Although these nationalists broadly support reunification efforts, they reject the Qing dynasty’s legitimacy, viewing it as a foreign Manchu regime that overthrew the Han-led Ming dynasty—the last ethnically Han Chinese ruling dynasty.

Critics have accused the film of glorifying what they consider the Qin’s "barbarian" conquest of Taiwan and denouncing Admiral Shi Lang, who defected from the Ming loyalists to the Qing. Some social media comments have labeled the film a distortion of history and have called for boycotts. The actors portraying Qing dynasty figures also received backlash on their platforms.

The tension exposes broader challenges in Beijing’s national narrative. Han nationalist voices argue that the concept of the “great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation” implicitly centers on Han identity, contrasting with the Communist Party’s official stance that encompasses all ethnic groups in China. In response to such rhetoric, authorities in Zhejiang province issued a public rebuke in December 2025, cautioning against framing the Manchu conquest as a disruption of Chinese civilization and warning against narrow, ethnic-centric nationalism.

The dispute arises amid a sensitive period in cross-strait relations. In the first half of 2026, Beijing eased military pressure on Taiwan, which remains self-governed, but maintains its position that reunification is inevitable and may be pursued by force if necessary. Most countries, including the United States and Japan, do not formally recognize Taiwan as independent but oppose any violent reunification attempts. Washington also continues supplying defensive arms to Taipei. The fate of "The Belief" reflects the complexities within China’s own political and cultural discourse as it navigates this contentious issue.