Thursday, September 4, 2025 from 6:00PM – 8:15 PM (ET)
In-person
Press Release:
GTI Hosts Film Screening of Zero Day Attack in Washington, Sparking Conversations on Taiwan Security and Resilience
On September 4, 2025, the Global Taiwan Institute (GTI) hosted a public film screening event, showcasing two episodes of Zero Day Attack, a Taiwanese television series depicting the events surrounding a potential Chinese attack against Taiwan. More than 200 people, including US government officials, Congressional staffers, think tank researchers, and leaders of the Taiwanese American community in Washington, DC, attended the event held at George Washington University’s Jack Morton Auditorium.
Zero Day Attack is Taiwan’s first mainstream TV series addressing how the looming threats of a potential conflict with the People’s Republic of China (PRC) impact Taiwanese society. Ranging from election interference and espionage to media infiltration and cyberattacks, the ten-episode series depicts, in a realistic manner, the developments that are likely to occur in the event of a serious crisis surrounding Taiwan.
“While the series we’re showing tonight is a speculative fiction, Zero Day Attack addresses real issues that impact Taiwan,” said GTI Chair of the Board of Directors and President Jennifer Hu. Hu stressed the importance of discussing potential devastating circumstances in the event of a serious conflict. “Beginning these difficult conversations is how we can improve Taiwan’s civil resilience and achieve peace through strength.”
The 27th US National Security Advisor, Ambassador (ret.) Robert C. O’Brien, delivered a keynote speech at the beginning of the event. Amb. O’Brien highlighted that “I think [Zero Day Attack] will raise awareness about the danger that Taiwan is under… our close relationships and bonds [between the United States and Taiwan] will lead to peace across the Strait.”
Taiwan Representative to the United States Ambassador Alexander Yui Tah-ray (俞大㵢) mentioned Taiwan’s record high defense budget for 2026, announced this month. “These efforts reflect not only Taiwan’s commitment to our own defense, but also demonstrate our sense of responsibility for regional peace.” Regarding Zero Day Attack, Ambassador Yui noted that “the arts allow Taiwanese people to confront these challenges, inspire courage, and make clear that defending democracy is as much a cultural and moral responsibility as it is a military one.”
GTI thanks the Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office in the United States (TECRO), American Global Strategies, Taiwan’s Democratic Progressive Party Mission in the United States, and George Washington University for their support in making this event successful.
Event Description:
The Global Taiwan Institute (GTI) is pleased to invite you to the US premiere of two episodes of the Taiwan television series Zero Day Attack (not yet available to stream online in the United States), which depicts the events surrounding a potential Chinese attack against Taiwan. The episodes will be screened in Mandarin, with English subtitles. The event will also feature keynote addresses by the 27th US National Security Advisor Ambassador (ret.) Robert C. O’Brien, and Taiwan Representative to the United States Ambassador Yui Tah-Ray.
Both US-China great power rivalry and the complexity of cross-Strait relations have led to heightened concerns over a Taiwan Strait conflict. In preparation, policymakers and academics have used debates, simulations, and wargames to imagine how Taiwan and the United States could respond to such a scenario. However, no significant effort has been made before to present these issues in popular culture.
Zero Day Attack (2025)—Taiwan’s first major series depicting the looming threat of conflict in the Taiwan Strait—is a 10-part, speculative fiction TV series that explores the run-up to a potential People’s Liberation Army attack on Taiwan. In the days leading up to “zero day,” commercial shipping is blocked, the stock market crashes, and Taiwan begins to prepare for a possible invasion. The series aims to depict, in a realistic manner, the events likely to occur in the event of a serious crisis surrounding Taiwan.
The event will be held at George Washington University’s Jack Morton Auditorium, located at 805 21st Street NW, Washington, DC 20052 (approximately one block from the Foggy Bottom/GWU Metro and two blocks away from the Farragut West MetroThe event will be held at George Washington University’s Jack Morton Auditorium, located at 805 21st Street NW, Washington, DC 20052 (approximately one block from the Foggy Bottom/GWU Metro and two blocks away from the Farragut West Metro, please enter at the 21st Street entrance). The run of show for the event will be as follows:). The run of show for the event will be as follows:
- 5:30 PM: Doors open
- 6:00 PM: Program begins
- 8:15 PM: Program concludes
Please direct questions or concerns to Senior Programs Manager Adrienne Wu at awu@globaltaiwan.org.
**Media: Please contact Yuchen Lee at ylee@globaltaiwan.org if you would like to bring additional crew members or equipment, so that we can be sure to accommodate you.