Here are six stories from China in the last week that you may have missed.

New observation satellite launched

A new earth observation satellite was launched into space from the Jiuquan Launch center to aid urban planning and disaster prevention. China Academy of Space Technology (CASC), the spacecraft maker behind the satellite, says it plans to launch more than 200 spacecraft via around 60 separate launches across 2023.

30bn cubic meters of natural gas reserves discovered

An extra deep natural gas reserve has been discovered in Sichuan Province. It covers over 30 billion cubic meters and over 4.5 kilometers below the surface. The discovery presents a breakthrough in Sinopec's Project Deep Earth-Sichuan and Chongqing natural gas base that further reveals the potential of the tight sandstone in northeast Sichuan, China.

Seventh China-South Asia expo attracts $56bn investments

The seventh China-South Asia expo concluded on Sunday, with 338 projects revealed backed by a total investment of $56 billion. The five-day event was jointly hosted by the Chinese Ministry of Commerce and the People's Government of Yunnan Province, and was a significant economic and trade exchange between China and South Asian countries this year.

'Detective' elephant finds opium stash

An Asian elephant in Yunnan Province helped border police by sniffing out a bag of opium. Four wild elephants were being moved away from a village in China's southwest Yunnan province when one of them sniffed out the bag in a bush containing 2.8 kg of flower used to make heroin. 

Tax incentives for small businesses

China's finance authorities announced they have enhanced and expanded tax incentives to support capital market growth. The aim of the initiative is to support the development of small and micro firms. Eligible firms will have their value-added tax deducted or exempted, according to a statement from the ministry.

Giant panda's birthday

And finally, giant panda cub Ziao Qi Ji celebrated its 3rd birthday in the U.S. before it returns to China in December. Xiao Qi Ji, who weighs a little over 200 pounds, is "very healthy" and "very happy," according to Brandie Smith, director of the Smithsonian's National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute.

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