Taipei: The Ministry of National Defense (MND) is set to screen selected scenes from the Taiwanese TV drama "Island Nation 2" to boost troop morale ahead of the annual Han Kuang military exercises. The exercises are scheduled for July 9 to 18, with the screenings being part of this year's "Morale and Psychological Readiness Education Program," which runs through Thursday.
According to Focus Taiwan, the MND will present the series to military officers and troops participating in the nation's largest annual military drills. The program, launched in 2005, is conducted annually before the live-fire portion of the Han Kuang drills. It aims to strengthen service members' patriotism and mental resilience by emphasizing the purpose of the military and the importance of combat preparedness.
Isaac Wang, a producer of "Island Nation 2," stated that a version of the series had been edited specifically for the occasion. This edited version primarily includes scenes depicting the experiences of Taiwanese soldiers stationed on Gaodeng Island, near the Chinese coastal city of Fuzhou. The scenes show the soldiers' daily training and their efforts to support one another to maintain the frontlines during the crisis.
The program is designed to elicit a response from its intended audience, moving away from the previous focus on impressing higher-ups, according to a military official involved in the program's design. The official, who wished to remain anonymous, noted that "Island Nation 2," set during the 1995-1996 Taiwan Strait Crisis, resonates with many service members as it reflects a relatable time and environment.
The series is considered more effective at eliciting emotional responses compared to outdated anti-Japanese or counterinsurgency films and lectures. The official highlighted that the challenges faced today are similar to those during the 1996 crisis, where China attempted to interfere in Taiwan's democracy. By showcasing the military's role in defending democratic freedoms, the program fosters a shared sense of purpose and unity among the troops.
The Third Taiwan Strait Crisis involved a series of missile tests by China in waters surrounding Taiwan in 1995 and 1996, following then-President Lee Teng-hui's visit to the United States and ahead of Taiwan's first direct presidential election.
Su Tzu-yun, a research fellow at the MND's Institute for National Defense and Security Research, commented on the defense ministry's decision to incorporate a Taiwanese drama into the program. He noted that this reflects a shift toward more engaging approaches to boost troop morale, making the program more effective and introducing collaboration opportunities with domestic film and creative industries. Su emphasized that the realistic portrayal of events in "Island Nation 2," particularly from the perspective of rank-and-file soldiers, makes it easier to spark emotional resonance.