Beijing-backed Taiwan unification film shelved before release

Historical epic may have been deemed too sensitive amid rising strait tensions

A screenshot of The Belief on the historic epic's official Weibo account. Slated for release in mainland China on July 25, the film has been shelved. (Photo by Yuji Murakami)

HONG KONG -- A Chinese movie promoting unification with Taiwan appears to have been pulled from planned screenings in the world's No.2 economy after failing to secure the final green light from authorities, underscoring the sensitivity surrounding the issue amid heightened cross-strait tensions.