Asia by Blog is a twice weekly feature, usually posted on Monday and Thursday, providing links to Asian blogs and their views on the news in this fascinating region. Previous editions can be found here.

This edition contains a Korean drinking guide, the controversy over "Tsunami Song", HK's pliant press, Zhao Ziyang's funeral, North Korean's Pakistani purchases and plenty more...

The round-up has four key areas of focus:

• China, Taiwan & Hong Kong
• Korea & Japan
• South-East & Other Asia
• Miscellany

China, Taiwan and Hong Kong

• As the world remembers the 60th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz, a look at the Jews of Shanghai.
• Hong Kong doesn't need to bother following China's example in having a state owned press. The Government can get its articles published regardless.
• China's space ambitions: Glenn Reynolds believes a space race between China and America is a good thing. Mark Whittington also talks about the coming space race. But I'm with Rand Simberg: China's efforts in space a demonstration of Government waste and mispalced priorities.
• Can you spell Xinhua? Start with F-H-M...
• Dan's not impressed by IBM. Maybe Lenovo can do better.
• A day in the life of a living god.
• Credit isn't always a problem at Chinese banks.
• Zhao Ziyang's funeral is causing the CCP all sorts of headaches. At first they refused refused a state funeral and recognition. And the authorities are roughing up mourners. But now it appears they've changed their minds.
• China files less than 1% of the patents in the US and Europe. Not a surprise - China's advatnage (at the moment) is its ability to marry cheap labour with capital rather than to innovate. But in 20 years or so...
• Brad Sester looks at the China dollar puzzle. And Fons looks at the booming economy and China's efforts to control it.
• To get rich might be glorious, but it will also get you kicked off the Olympic team.
• China's environmental watchdog is growing teeth.
• China is rethinking the death penalty.
• Using the buddy system to shield yourself in HK.
• Apparently the Chinese hostages (now home) in Iraq suffered a case of mistaken identity.

Korea and Japan

• Joi Ito has a case of a South Korean national being banned from taking a managerial promotion civil service exam in Japan due to her nationality. He's not impressed. Sean looks into the same issue in greater detail.
• There are reports NK bought a nuke from Pakistan. I've always wondered how that happens. Does someone from NK ring up the Pakistan Government and request a transfer to the "Nuclear Arms for Sale" Department?
• China's clampdown on official gambling is hurting North Korea.
• Japan's largest trading partner is now China.
• Did Japanese PM father a child with a Korean?
• Jodi talks about Koreans adopted and raised abroad who have returned to Korea, including herself.
• The North Koreans have responded to Japanese experts who determined the bones handed over were not those of Megumi Yokota.
• In case you need it, a guide to drinking in Korea, with a follow-up.

SE and Other Asia

• Sepia Mutiny is all over the disgusting Miss Jones "Tsunami Song" controversy, as is Anna.
• Nitin is unimpressed with India's new National Security Advisor.
• Steven McDermott is looking to get a blogger based reportage/link.comment site on Singapore. Some of the likely contributors broke bread.
• Matt has some interesting observations from his Vietnam trip.

Miscellany

• Collin May has an interesting article on the impact of the Asian tsunami and the changes in international relations.
• The history of the Hello Kitty Adult Toy. Then you can try the sushi.
• Play the Korea question game.
• Forget iPods, it's iDogs you need. Don't forget to go vote for Lee as well.