China’s Ministry of Public Security and the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) have cracked four major drug cases in 2017, according to the Ministry.

In March, Chinese police and the DEA shared information on a ketamine smuggling case with four suspects arrested in China and 13 in the United States. Police seized nearly 280 kg of various drugs and about a million U.S. dollars.

The Chinese police have acted against transnational traffickers thanks to information from the DEA since May. Over 90 kg of cocaine bound for Australia was seized and nine suspects arrested.

In 2015, Chinese police and the DEA formed a task force against a gang of dealers and seized almost 4 kg of drugs with seven suspects arrested in October, 2017. Funds of more than 3.5 million yuan (530,000 U.S. dollars) were frozen.

In October, Chinese police destroyed one drug factory and a warehouse, seized over 200 kg drugs, arrested 14 suspects and offered information on buyers in the U.S. to the DEA.

Southwest China’s Tibet Autonomous Region will start construction on its first, and the world’s highest, planetarium in 2018, local authorities said.

The planetarium will have the region’s largest optical astronomical telescope, with a 1-meter-diameter lens, and become a major regional base for astronomical research and public science education, according to the Science and Technology Department of Tibet.

The telescope will be jointly developed by the planetarium and the National Astronomical Observatories, and be used for variable star observation and time domain astronomy, according to the department.

“The installment of the device will enable the planetarium to carry out professional astronomical research,” said Wang Junjie, deputy head of the department.

“The planetarium, with the highest altitude in the world, will become a ‘perfect window’ for the public to get to know the stars and explore the universe, thanks to little air or light pollution in the region,” Wang said.

Planned to be completed in 2019, the planetarium will be built within the Tibet Museum of Natural Sciences in the city of Lhasa, according to the department.

Dubbed the “Roof of the World” on account of its position 4,000 meters above sea level, Tibet has superb clear skies, ideal for astronomical observation.

Zhao Kezhi was appointed minister of public security in accordance with the decision by the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress (NPC) at a bi-monthly session, which closed on Saturday.

Zhao replaced Guo Shengkun, currently secretary of the Political and Legal Affairs Committee under the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee.

Zhao was previously the secretary of CPC Hebei Provincial Committee.

After the Standing Committee concluded its session, Zhao attended an oath-taking ceremony to pledge his allegiance to the Constitution.

Premier Li Keqiang pledged his support on Friday to further promote nuclear energy cooperation between China and the United States and develop safe and reliable breakthrough technologies.

The premier spoke during a meeting with Bill Gates, chairman of TerraPower and founder of Microsoft, in Beijing.

Li spoke positively of the cooperation the two nations have had in research and development on new-generation nuclear power technologies. He said he was exhilarated to know about the establishment of a joint R&D venture on traveling-wave reactors, a new breakthrough in the field.

Li emphasized that safety is an essential prerequisite for developing nuclear power and that the new technology must be reliable and secure.

The premier also said that the new industrial revolution is proceeding to a higher level while the internet provides vital support. He said that China is carrying out innovation-driven development and making use of the Internet Plus Initiative, both of which involve promoting new technologies and integrating them with traditional industries to accelerate economic transformation and upgrading.

“We wish to further international cooperation and achieve technological breakthroughs by developing China’s advantage in rich resources in talent and using internet-based platforms,” he said.

New-generation nuclear power technology is vital for mankind to develop energy in the future and the energy supply must be kept clean, safe and reliable, Gates said. He said he appreciates the cooperation with Chinese companies and is willing to make the wishes a reality with an open attitude.

A traveling-wave reactor is a fourth-generation technology that can directly process depleted uranium, natural uranium, thorium, spent fuel from light water reactors or combinations of these materials, which allows the reactor to use fuel in a more efficient way.

China National Nuclear Co signed an agreement with TerraPower in September 2015 to jointly develop traveling-wave reactors, the first time such cooperation has been undertaken since 1985, when China and the US signed a cooperative agreement in nuclear energy. A joint venture was established by the two companies and some other Chinese energy suppliers this September.

The joint venture aims to build and operate small, medium and large power plants using traveling-wave reactors in the next 20 years, which are expected to reduce costs by 20 percent from existing, third-generation nuclear power plants.

Chinese President Xi Jinping on Friday instructed the armed forces to improve their combat capability and readiness for war.

Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission (CMC), made the remarks while inspecting the CMC joint battle command center as its commander in chief.

“The CMC should lead the armed forces to be ready to fight and win wars, and to undertake the missions and tasks of the new era entrusted to them by the Party and the people,” said Xi, in military uniform.

The capability to win is strategically important in safeguarding national security, and strengthening that capability and combat readiness in the new era would provide strategic support to the realization of the Chinese dream of national rejuvenation, according to Xi.

Xi called on the military to closely follow the situation of national security and to ensure military preparedness in all directions and all fields.

Innovation should be made in studying and planning for combat to adapt to the trend of military evolution, said Xi.

Xi demanded progress in joint operation command systems, especially in efficiency at regional theater command level.

Troops were ordered to conduct training under combat conditions.

During the inspection, Xi had video chats with troops at frontier posts and a newly established support base in Djibouti.

Xi encouraged those stationed in Djibouti to help promote international and regional peace and stability.