Overseasidol.com — The historical drama “Silent Tides” has officially been introduced as a key production commemorating the 80th anniversary of the victory of the Chinese People’s War of Resistance Against Japan and the World Anti-Fascist War, while also serving as a tribute to the 26th anniversary of Macau’s return to China.
Guided by the Publicity Department of the CPC Shaanxi Provincial Committee, the series is co-produced by China Media Group, iQIYI, and the China Television Drama Production Center.
Directed by Yang Zhenyu and written by Huang Hui, the drama stars leading actors Ren Jialun, Lan Yingying, Li Chun, Tan Kai, and Ma Qiyue.
The storyline is inspired by true events involving Macau’s patriotic figures during the Second World War, including Ho Yin, Ma Man Kei, and the Ke Lin brothers, underground members of the Communist Party of China.
Set after the fall of Hong Kong in 1941, Macau becomes a vital exchange port for strategic materials and a hub for international intelligence.
Although the Portuguese colonial administration claimed neutrality, Japanese espionage agencies operated aggressively within the territory.
Against this turbulent backdrop, Ho Yin, portrayed by Ren Jialun, relocates his family to Macau and unexpectedly becomes entangled in political conspiracies.
There, he meets the patriotic young woman Qiao Yinwan (Lan Yingying) and, with the steadfast support of his wife Guo Qiwen (Li Chun), joins forces with Communist underground agent Ke Lin (Tan Kai) and national businessman Ma Man Kei (Ma Qiyue).
Together, they rally Macau’s Chinese community, including organizations such as the Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Tung Sin Tong, to outmaneuver Japanese forces through financial, trade, and intelligence operations.
Their united resistance not only helped Macau endure its most difficult era but also made significant contributions to China’s overall war effort and to the global fight against fascism.
The drama began development in 2018 and underwent seven years of research and script refinement before officially starting production in March 2025.
With its multi-threaded narrative structure, the series breaks away from traditional formats, offering a fresh interpretation of the united front and the Communist Party’s pivotal role in the national resistance. It also fills an important gap in television works depicting Macau’s wartime history.
