Chinese dramas and films

The series «The Long Watch» (Confrontation, 交锋) premiered on 6 September 2026 on CCTV-8 as well as on streaming platforms Tencent Video and Migu Video.

It is a 40-episode contemporary spy thriller produced with the direct involvement of China's Ministry of State Security.

The lead cast includes Wang Kai («Like a Flowing River», «Hunting»), Peng Yu Chang («No Pain No Gain», «Lady of Law»), Ou Hao («This Thriving Land», «The Miracles»), Zhou Yi Ran («Go East», «With Love With Youе»), Zu Feng («The Pavilion», «Ode To Joy») and Qiu Tian («Bloom Life», «Inverted Fate»).

The drama's original soundtrack is performed by Liu Yu Ning (终会再见, We Will Meet Again). You can listen it here

The project was directed by Yao Xiaofeng («War of Faith», «Tender Light») with a screenplay by Wang Xiaoqiang («Harbin 1944», «Bright Future»). The series was also included in the list of key projects supported by China Central Television.

Read more: CCTV Unveils 2026 Drama Lineup

The plot of «The Long Watch» spans two decades, from 1998 to 2018.

In 1998, Ma Qi (Wang Kai), a junior officer in the state security services, investigates the theft and substitution of military codecs at the port of Minzhou. A Taiwanese intelligence operative, Lin Kanshan (Ou Hao), codenamed «North Wind», manages to give his pursuers the slip and disappears for many years.

The second storyline picks up in 2018. Ma Qi, now a seasoned officer, is joined by a young IT specialist named Chunxiao (Peng Yu Chang). Together with his partner Jin Lan (Zhou Yi Ran), they reopen the old case and set out to expose a Taiwanese spy network.

By alternating between the two time periods, the filmmakers are able to show the evolution of intelligence-gathering methods from analogue to digital.

The central plot is based on the real-life incident of the replacement of military equipment at the port of Minzhou in 1999, known as the «9.14» case. The creators also drew on materials relating to information leaks during the 2008 Beijing Olympics and a 2019 money-laundering case involving the darknet.

To ensure period accuracy, the production team meticulously recreated the everyday details of the late 1990s. Former Ministry of State Security personnel were also consulted to guarantee the authenticity of procedures and other details.

The series debuted with a rating of 0.94% on the Kuyun platform and surpassed 2% within just 15 minutes of airing. It is expected that the figure could reach 3%. These numbers are considered very strong.

On Tencent Video, the drama's popularity index exceeded 20,000 after the first three episodes. That is a promising sign, putting it on track to hit 30,000 – a score that signals a bona fide blockbuster.

Douban ratings will be released later, but early viewer reviews on the platform suggest that the series is drawing praise for its unexpected twists, fast-paced action and a realistic, detailed portrayal of the intelligence services' confrontation.

Sources 1, 2, 3, 4