On June 8 WeChat Open Class published developer guidance for joining the WeChat AI ecosystem. Maoyan Entertainment, among the first internal beta developers, has completed integration of its mini program into that ecosystem.

Vale CEO Gustavo Pimenta said he sees no signs that the Iran conflict has damaged global metals demand and that the company’s margins have widened despite shipment disruptions. He said Vale is focused on unlocking asset value rather than pursuing acquisitions and described global demand for critical minerals as very constructive. Disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz raised fuel costs and freight rates, but higher prices and volumes have largely offset the impact on miners. Vale has raised full-year free cash flow guidance for its core iron-ore business by $1.5bn and now expects average iron-ore prices of $112/tonne for the year versus a $102/tonne pre-conflict scenario.

China’s Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian said on June 1 the China Coast Guard Daishan flotilla conducted law-enforcement patrols in waters east of Taiwan. Lin reiterated China claims an exclusive economic zone and continental shelf there and accused Japan and the Philippines of bypassing China by unilaterally initiating maritime delimitation talks, actions he said violate UNCLOS and basic international relations norms and seriously infringe China’s maritime rights. China will not permit such infringements.