A new Chinese spy drama co-produced by the Ministry of State Security has become a popular television hit since its premiere on September 6, capturing viewers with its portrayal of decades-long espionage between China and Taiwan. The series, titled The Long Watch (Jiaofeng, meaning “clashing swords” in Chinese), dramatizes intelligence operations spanning from the mid-1990s, blending fictional elements with real locations such as Taipei.
The 40-episode production depicts Taiwan’s military intelligence as a formidable adversary capable of extracting sensitive information, while casting Chinese state security officers as patriotic defenders of their country. Although official writers claim the story draws from declassified national-security cases and interviews with retired officers, analysts note it remains challenging to verify how closely the narrative mirrors actual events, as new episodes continue to air.
The series achieved significant viewership success within its first week, topping prime-time ratings on China Central Television five times and amassing over 50 million online views across platforms. Chinese audiences have described Jiaofeng as unusually bold for directly referencing political figures like Taiwan’s former leader Lee Teng-hui and portraying detailed espionage activities on both sides of the Taiwan Strait.
Experts suggest that China’s recent increase in espionage-themed dramas serves multiple purposes: capitalizing on the genre’s dramatic appeal and reinforcing patriotic sentiment. Historian Li Fuchung from Taiwan’s National Chengchi University noted that the portrayal of contrasting characters—those loyal to China versus those seen as betrayers—aims to shape public perception of national loyalty, potentially influencing audiences in both China and Taiwan.
Taiwan, officially the Republic of China, operates as a self-governing democracy but is claimed by Beijing as its territory. Historical tensions, such as the 1995-96 Taiwan Strait crisis triggered by Lee Teng-hui’s visit to the United States, are referenced in the series, underscoring the ongoing sensitivity of cross-strait relations. Jiaofeng follows a trend of state-backed espionage dramas; a similar production, Silent Honor, aired last year with Ministry of State Security involvement and depicted espionage during the Chinese civil war’s conclusion.
While the series reinforces narratives aligned with China’s official stance—emphasizing espionage as a “hidden front” in the broader struggle over Taiwan’s status—it has elicited minimal response within Taiwan itself. Despite Jiaofeng’s availability on Chinese streaming services and YouTube, it has not generated notable discussion on Taiwanese social media. This contrasts with Taiwan’s own government-supported drama Zero Day Attack, which performed strongly last year with storylines based on Chinese military threats.
Among younger Taiwanese, interest in Chinese political dramas appears limited, with many favoring romance genres. Public sentiment remains largely cautious or negative toward the Chinese Communist Party, as reflected in a recent poll showing only 7.4% of respondents held a favorable view, down from 9.6% two months earlier.
Li Fuchung acknowledged that while Taiwan’s open society can allow some exposure to mainland Chinese narratives, most Taiwanese audiences recognize such productions as propaganda rather than authentic representations. The drama’s impact on cross-strait perceptions thus appears limited within Taiwan, despite its considerable popularity in China.