Unfortunately due to time constraints there has been no Asia by Blog edition this week but expect regular service to resume next week. In the meantime some links to keep you going:

ESWN is on a roll at the moment. While I may not agree with some of his politics he certainly digs up some of the most varied and interesting China/HK related stories going and plenty more to boot. Extensive coverage of the Chinese hostages in Iraq; how some enterprising Hong Kongers can make 10 times their money in 2 weeks by giving away trees; and two pieces from Roland's recent trip to Yunnan: the economics of travel agencies and the tourism cult of personality.

Andres continues his profile series with an interview with Pieter from Peaktalk.

If you need a hand, Phil has some people who can help (potentially NSFW).

After previously admiring their spurning of materialism, the parents of China's 1.3 billionth baby have given in to Mammon. Jeremy Joel also has a list of the 10 top terms in Chinese publishing in 2004.

If you want to know everything, and I mean everything, about China's Three Gorges project, read this site (via PD). Richard also points out that ex-wonder analyst Henry Blodget is admitting he's clueless...about China.

Did Kim Jong-il get a U.S. visa in 1997? And if the South Korean Army run low on rations, at least they have a recycling plan ready.

If you have a death wish and want to drive on Chinese roads, Sam has some tips.

Jodi ponders the question "Are Asians racist?"

Macam-Macam looks at Condi Rice's testimony and her naming Myanmar, amongst others, as an outpost of tyranny.

Greg visits a zoo in China and comes to this conclusion: the animals are on the outside.