Current Affairs - International

China conducted large-scale live-fire military exercises around Taiwan under the code name “Justice Mission 2025” on December 29, 2025. The drills involved the deployment of 89 aircraft and 28 naval vessels, demonstrating significant military coordination and capability. These exercises were designed to simulate a blockade of Taiwan’s ports, highlighting China’s strategic intent in the region. Beijing characterised the operation as a stern warning in response to U.S. arms sales to Taiwan and support from Japan. The drills underscore heightened geopolitical tensions in the Taiwan Strait and China’s assertive posture in regional security affairs.

Zhang Damo made history by becoming the first painter to be honoured with the 2025 Most Achieved Chinese Award (MACA), an award previously given to eminent figures from science and architecture. He is widely recognised for his distinctive ink painting style that combines meticulous detailing with freehand expression, blending ancient Eastern philosophy with modern artistic aesthetics. Beyond his artistic achievements, Zhang Damo has played a significant role in promoting Chinese culture globally. Serving as the Chief Artist of the UN Peace Boat, he has spent more than three decades acting as a cultural ambassador, using art to foster cross-cultural understanding and international dialogue.

This launch marked an important advancement in iran’s space and satellite development capabilities. The country successfully sent three domestically built satellites—Paya, Zafar-2, and Kowsar-1.5—into a 500 km low-Earth orbit with the assistance of a Russian Soyuz rocket. The mission focuses on practical applications such as agriculture planning, water management, and environmental monitoring. Among the satellites, Paya stands out as iran’s heaviest-ever satellite deployment at 150 kg and is equipped with high-resolution color imaging technology, demonstrating growing technical expertise in space-based observation systems.

United States has introduced a significant reform in the H-1B visa selection process by shifting from a purely random lottery system to one that gives weight to wage levels. This change is designed to favor higher-paying, highly skilled roles, ensuring that foreign talent complements rather than competes unfairly with domestic workers. By prioritizing wage-based selection, the policy aims to protect local wage standards, improve job quality, and better align immigration with labor market needs. The revision also has the potential to influence how international professionals, particularly in the technology sector, enter the US workforce.

China has achieved a major infrastructure milestone by opening the world’s longest expressway tunnel, the Tianshan Shengli Tunnel, located in the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. Stretching 22.13 km, the tunnel significantly reduces travel time across the Tianshan Mountains and improves connectivity between northern and southern Xinjiang. It forms a critical part of the G0711 Urumqi–Yuli Expressway and supports the efficient transport of energy resources, agricultural products, and industrial materials. The project showcases advanced engineering, including operation in extreme geological and climatic conditions, while contributing to economic integration, tourism growth, and regional development.