Emerging Markets Dynamics - Vietnam has officially joined the BRICS cooperation mechanism as a partner country, welcomed by the Brazilian government, which currently holds the rotating presidency of BRICS [1] - The BRICS partner countries now include Nigeria, Belarus, Bolivia, Kazakhstan, Cuba, Malaysia, Thailand, Uganda, and Uzbekistan, expanding the total number of BRICS members to 11 [1] Financial Cooperation - The People's Bank of China and the Central Bank of Turkey have renewed a bilateral currency swap agreement with a scale of 350 billion RMB (approximately 189 billion Turkish Lira), effective for three years [2] - A memorandum of cooperation was signed to establish a RMB clearing arrangement in Turkey, enhancing financial cooperation and facilitating cross-border trade and investment [2] Platform Developments - TikTok announced an investment expansion in the UK to approximately £140 million (around 1.36 billion RMB), including the establishment of a new office in London and an increase in employee numbers to 3,000 [3] - TikTok Shop in Southeast Asia has relaxed entry policies for businesses, removing e-commerce experience requirements, allowing individual sellers to enter the market more easily [4] - TikTok Shop has launched a "Hot Product Takeoff Plan" in the US and Europe, providing various support resources to help merchants boost sales during the summer season [5] Industry Observations - Vietnam's commercial air conditioning market is projected to reach $600 million in 2024, with a year-on-year growth of 14.9%, while the first quarter of 2025 is expected to see a market size of $123 million, growing by 13.9% [9] - In Indonesia, the commercial air conditioning market is expected to reach $218 million in the first quarter of 2025, reflecting a year-on-year growth of 7.2% [10] - The Chinese mobile gaming industry accounted for 36.6% of global revenue in May 2025, with 33 Chinese companies making it to the top 100 global mobile game publishers [11] Shipping and Logistics - In the first five months of the year, Chinese shipbuilders secured 274 new ship orders, accounting for approximately 49% of the global market share, while global new ship orders have dropped to a near four-year low [12][13] - The demand for OLED display panels is expected to grow significantly, with a projected annual growth rate of 69% in 2025, driven by strong demand in the gaming sector [14] Policy Changes - Starting July 1, Vietnam will require e-commerce platforms to withhold and pay taxes on behalf of sellers, including VAT and personal income tax, with specific rates outlined for different types of transactions [21]