As China celebrates its National Day holiday, a newly-released spy drama spells “Taiwan must return” in blood, and marks a new phase in Beijing’s united-front propaganda.

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A newly released spy drama, “Silent Honor,” (沉默的榮耀) is based on the real-life story of a CCP operative undercover in Taiwan, Lieutenant-General Wu Shi (吳石), who is considered the highest-level communist spy in Taiwan's history. The series, co-directed by China’s Ministry of State Security and Taiwan Affairs Office, was released around China’s National Day holiday. Analysts say the China Central Television (CCTV) drama marks a new phase in Beijing’s united-front television and film propaganda.

In real life, Wu Shi rose to the position of National Defense Ministry Deputy Chief of Staff in Taiwan, providing highly classified military intelligence to China and assisting the People’s Liberation Army. Wu was eventually caught and executed in 1950 along with his compatriots Zhu Feng (朱楓), Chen Baochang (陳寶倉), and Nie Xi (聶曦) for communist espionage. These three are also prominent characters in the series.

In promotional materials for the drama, Wu Shi is seen writing the words “Taiwan must return” (台灣必歸) in blood while in prison. Analysts say this series marks a new phase in united front propaganda as it uses entertainment to publicly glorify its undercover agents amid strained cross-strait relations. They say that even as the international community begins acknowledging the threat of a CCP invasion, China is attempting to reshape historical perspectives through the heroic images and strong emotional narratives featured in the television drama.