Netflix's sci-fi series "3 Body Problem" has become a subject of intense debate among viewers in China. Based on Liu Cixin's Hugo Award-winning novel and set to portray humanity preparing for an extraterrestrial invasion, the series has been trending on Chinese social media platforms, with CNN reporting that it has ignited "nationalist anger" in the country.

One of the main points of contention stems from the controversial opening sequence, set in 1966 during the Chinese Cultural Revolution at a Beijing university. The scene depicts a physics professor being brutally assaulted by the Communist Red Guards for opposing government ideologies, while a mocking crowd looks on. Some viewers have accused Hollywood of intentionally portraying China in a negative light through its portrayal of the Red Guards.

During a set visit in 2022, co-showrunner David Benioff addressed the scene's anti-authoritarian undertones. While acknowledging the parallels between the current period and the Cultural Revolution, Benioff emphasized that the show was not created with the intention of making a commentary on the historical event. However, he acknowledged that the similarities were hard to ignore.

Interestingly, the sequence was notably absent in the Chinese adaptation of the series released in 2023 by Tencent. Critics have accused the Chinese Communist Party of attempting to erase the Cultural Revolution and its atrocities from both history and popular culture. Furthermore, the alterations made in the Tencent adaptation, such as the shift in setting to London and the inclusion of a more diverse international cast, have been criticized as being "politically correct."

Rosalind Chao, who portrays the adult Ye Wenjie in "3 Body Problem," shared her thoughts on the show's Cultural Revolution scenes and adaptations. She expressed the importance of having an international version of the story and criticized the reluctance in China to discuss the events of the Cultural Revolution. Chao praised the opportunity to tell the story in a way that embraces the sci-fi genre and reaches a wider audience, emphasizing the significance of understanding world history and its impact on people's lives.

As the debate rages on, "3 Body Problem" is still available to stream on Netflix, providing viewers with an opportunity to explore the complex themes and historical connections presented in the series.